RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03484 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His military records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was injured by enemy action, aerial bomb, on the night of 25 Nov 44; this was never recorded. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military records contain very limited documentation. According to the available documentation, the applicant entered active service with the Army Air Corps on 6 Mar 43. On 28 Dec 45, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. The PH Medal is awarded to any member 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 PH Medal 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. There was no official documentation in the applicant’s record to verify he was recommended for or awarded the PH Medal. There is no evidence the applicant suffered an injury through enemy contact. A detailed personal account of how the injury occurred, medical documentation substantiating an injury which required medical treatment at the time the injury occurred, and eyewitness statements from individuals who saw the applicant receive the injury were not provided. The applicant’s request was not submitted to the PH Review Board as it lacks the medical documentation substantiating medical treatment was received, and eyewitness statements. 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 23 Feb 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD: After careful consideration of applicant’s request and the available evidence of record, we find the application untimely. Applicant did not file within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-2603. Applicant has not shown a plausible reason for the delay in filing, and we are not persuaded that the record raises issues of error or injustice which require resolution on the merits. Thus, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to file in a timely manner. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness. It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03484 in Executive Session on 21 May 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 May 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 Nov 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Feb 15.