RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00658 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 wounded by flak on right thigh in October 1943. 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 30 Dec 41. On 16 Oct 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. The Purple Heart Review Board has the authority, to determine a veteran’s award of the PH Medal. Each request is considered based on the policies and criteria in use at the time the veteran was injured, and the determination is dependent on the documentary evidence presented. The applicant’s request was not submitted to the Purple Heart Review Board as it lacks a detailed personal account of the circumstances surrounding the injury, medical documentation substantiating medical treatment was received, and eyewitness statements. 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 28 Oct 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 documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00658 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Jun 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 6 Oct 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Oct 15.