RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00955
			COUNSEL:  NONE
			HEARING DESIRED:  NO 


APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was awarded the PH during active duty for unloading wounded 
personnel coming home from Vietnam.  He cut his finger on steel 
wool.  After unloading the personnel, a fellow airman noticed he 
was bleeding so he was advised to go to the emergency room.  He 
received 3-4 stitches and the doctor stated he was going to 
recommend him for the PH.  He recalls receiving the PH in a 
black folder from a lieutenant colonel. 

He gave the PH to his mother for safekeeping.  She passed away 
in March 2003 but the siblings were not allowed to enter the 
home until 2011.  He could not find the medal or the 
documentation at that point.  

The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider 
his untimely application because he has documentation showing he 
was awarded the PH. 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 29 Jan 74, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.
 
On 30 Apr 70, the applicant received an honorable discharge and 
was credited with 3 years and 9 months of active service. 


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or an injustice.  They were unable to verify he was 
recommended for or awarded of the PH after reviewing his 
official military personnel record.  The applicant states he cut 
his finger cleaning a latrine, then hurried off to help unload 
wounded personnel returning from Vietnam.  After receiving 
medical care from the doctor, he states the doctor said he was 
going to recommend him for the award however; he provides no 
medical documentation to accompany his account.  His 
Chronological Record of Medical Care for the incident in 
question may be found in an entry 3 Mar 72.  There were no 
eyewitness statements from individuals who saw the applicant 
injured and can attest to the circumstances in which he was 
injured.  

The PH is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces 
who have been wounded, killed, or who have died or may hereafter 
die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United 
States or opposing force as a result of an act of any such enemy 
or opposing armed force, an international terrorist attack or 
during military operations while serving as a part of a 
peacekeeping force.  A wound for which the award is made must 
have required treatment, not merely examination, by a medical 
officer.  Additionally, treatment of the wound shall be 
documented in the service member’s medical and/or health record.  
Award of the Purple Heart may be made for wounds treated by a 
medical professional other than a medical officer, provided a 
medical officer includes a statement in the service member’s 
medical record that the extent of the wounds were such that they 
would have required treatment by a medical officer if one had 
been available to treat them.  

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 6 Jun 14 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.


THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took 
notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and 
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
(OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion 
the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find 
no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.


THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and the 
application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of 
newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this 
application.


The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Mar 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 27 May 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Jun 14.