RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03788 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to show the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He qualified for award of the medal several times through completion of his 15th, 35th and 40th missions and for participation in the special Iwo Jima mission. He believes the problem may lie in lost records, rules changes, transfer of records from the Army to the Air Force, or possibly the fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973. In support of the appeal, the applicant provides a personal statement and copies of a 2003 letter to his representative, newspaper clippings, photos, a 7th Air Force public relations statement describing their part in the battle for Iwo Jima, several excerpts from what appears to be a personal diary and flight logs, copy of his WG AGO 100, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, special orders relating to decorations awarded to members of the 7th Air Force, and a Congressional inquiry with a letter of support attached. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served on active duty from 27 Feb 43 to 20 Oct 45, with approximately 10 months of that time in the Asian-Pacific Theater of operations where he received the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters (AM w/6 OLC’s). Evidence of record indicates the applicant participated in 40 combat missions in the central pacific as a turret gunner on a B-24 bomber. He was honorably discharged on 20 Oct 45. The DFC may be awarded to any person who, after 16 Apr 17, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The heroism or achievement must be entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not routine. Additional information with regard to the award criteria for the DFC is contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the DFC noting his several attempts over the years to establish his entitlement to the award; however, each request yielded no official documentation verifying his entitlement to the DFC. A signed recommendation from someone within the applicant’s chain of command who has firsthand knowledge of the incident, a proposed citation, chain of command endorsements, or eye witness statements were not provided. AFPC/DPSIDR was able to determine the applicant’s eligibility for award of the American Campaign Medal (ACM) and the World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM). His records will be changed to reflect the award of these medals. DPSIDR’s complete 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 25 Jan 12 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). _________________________________________________________________ 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 the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) indicating that the applicant has applied for the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) many times over the years and has thus far been denied for lack of evidence supporting his contention that he is entitled to the award. That said, we are of the opinion the evidence provided by the applicant and additional evidence made available through independent research is sufficient for us to make a decision in his favor. Whether awarded for the number of combat missions or for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, in our view the applicant has met the requirements of either. Therefore, in view of the foregoing, the Board believes any doubt concerning the applicant’s entitlement to the DFC should be resolved in his favor. We note the Air Force OPR has confirmed the applicant is entitled to award of the American Campaign Medal (ACM) and World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM) and his records will be corrected administratively. Accordingly, the Board recommends that 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 22 August 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a ball turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator at, or near, the Marianas Islands from 17 May 1944 to 14 March 1945. ______________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-03788 in Executive Session on 24 April 2012, 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 A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Oct 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 16 Dec 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Jan 12. Panel Chair