RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01873 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His non-wound honorable discharge should be changed to reflect he was wounded. This would enable him to receive benefits and treatment given to PH veterans. On 12 June 1944, the Japanese dropped bombs on his temporary camp and during this raid his knee was wounded. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Army Air Force on 5 October 1942. On 16 November 1945, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 1 month, and 11 days of active service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The applicant’s official military personnel record contains very limited documentation. It appears the applicant’s official military personnel record was heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. 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. After a thorough review of the applicant’s limited official military personnel record, DPSID was unable to verify award of the PH. DPSID was also unable to locate a signed certificate, special order or any other official documentation, nor was any provided, verifying the applicant was recommended for or awarded the PH. The applicant’s request was not submitted to the Purple Heart Review Board as it lacks the medical documentation substantiating medical treatment was received, and eyewitness statements. Therefore, to grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. A complete copy of the AFPC/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 January 2015 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 error or injustice. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, after reviewing the evidence of record we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence that validates his entitlement to the PH medal. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an 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 members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01873 in Executive Session on 12 March 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 April 2014, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 November 2014. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 January 2015.