RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00903 

 COUNSEL: 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Distinguished 
Flying Cross (DFC) with First Oak Leaf Cluster (1 OLC). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He is entitled to the DFC with 1 OLC for his completion of over 
10 lead crew combat missions, but due to an administrative error 
it was never awarded. During World War II, it was the policy of 
the Eighth Air Force to award the DFC for every 10 lead crew 
missions flown and upon the completion of a tour of combat 
missions. Although he received the DFC (basic) for his 
completion of a combat tour of duty, he never received an oak 
leaf cluster for his completion of 10 lead crew missions. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant’s counsel provides 
personal statements, a notarized power of attorney, a copy of 
his DD Form 214, Military Record and Report of Separation, 
Certificate of Service, a listing of flown missions, copies of 
previous AFBCMR cases similar to his case, and a proposed 
citation. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who 
served in the European Theatre of Operations from 15 Apr 44 to 
11 Aug 45, as a B-24, Liberator, pilot. He participated in the 
Rhineland, Air Offensive Europe, and Ardennes Campaigns. His WD 
AGO Form 53-96, Military Record and Report of Separation, 
Certificate of Service, issued in conjunction with his 11 Aug 45 
release from active duty, reflects he was awarded the DFC and 
Air Medal (AM), with four OLCs. 

 

 

 

The DFC was established by Congress on 2 Jul 26 and is awarded 
for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in 


aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be 
evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. 

 

The AM is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement while 
participating in aerial flight. 

 

During World War II, the Eighth Air Force had an established 
policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of tour of 
combat duty, and an AM was awarded upon the completion of every 
five heavy bomber missions. In 1942, the length of a tour was 
the completion of 25 combat missions. In 1944, the tour length 
was increased to 35 combat missions, and the number of combat 
missions required for award of an additional AM was increased to 
six. In 1943, the policy of awarding the DFC and AM based 
solely on the number of missions completed was discontinued and 
a narrative recommendation was required for all subsequent 
decoration missions. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We note that 
during the contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established 
policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of a tour 
of duty. In addition, the former commanding officer of the 44th 
Bombardment Group has provided a sworn statement attesting to 
the fact that a DFC was also awarded for a minimum of 10 lead or 
deputy lead missions. The applicant has provided sufficient 
documentation showing he had ten (10) lead combat missions while 
assigned to Eighth Air Force as a B-24 Liberator pilot. 
Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent 
indicated below. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was 
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak Leaf Cluster, 
for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Lead or Deputy 
Lead Pilot on B-24 airplanes on ten (10) combat missions over 
enemy occupied Continental Europe. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-
2009-00903 in Executive Session on 9 October 2009 and 19 January 
2010, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

, Panel Chair 

, Member 

, Member 

 

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit. DD Form 149, dated 28 Feb 09, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair