ADDENDUM TO RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-01840 XXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be entitled to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for a mission he flew during the Cuban Missile Crisis on 12 November 1962. 2. He be entitled to the DFC for missions he flew over Laos in support of Operation Field Goal during the period 23 April 1961 to 28 May 1961. 3. By letter dated 23 January 2014, the applicant amended his request for entitlement to the Air Medal instead of the DFC for missions he flew over Laos in support of Operation Field Goal. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 26 February 2013, the Board considered and denied a similar appeal. For an accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s requests and the rationale of the earlier decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings at Exhibit F. On 23 January 2014, the applicant submitted a request for reconsideration which includes evidence the Board previously invited him to provide. The evidence includes DFC citations from pilots who flew similar/identical missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis during the same period. In the case of Operation Field Goal, the applicant states that only he and another member flew these missions during the period 23 April 1961 to 28 May 1961, and the other pilot received an Air Medal for these missions. Accordingly, he requests the evidence he provides be given due consideration for award of the DFC during the Cuban Missile Crisis on 12 November 1962 and the Air Medal for missions he flew over Laos in support of Operation Field Goal during the period 23 April 1961 to 28 May 1961. The DFC is awarded to any officer or enlisted person of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished himself in actual combat in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to 11 Nov 1918. The AM is awarded to U.S. military and civilian personnel for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight and foreign military personnel in actual combat in support of operations. Required achievement is less than that required for the DFC, but must be accomplished with distinction above and beyond that expected of professional airmen. In support of his requests, the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of citations, memorandums, special orders, and various other documents related to his appeal. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit G. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: In an earlier finding, the Board determined there was insufficient evidence to warrant award of the DFC. The Board advised the applicant that if he submitted additional evidence that other airmen received the DFC for similar or identical missions during the same periods, they would be willing to reconsider his requests. After a thorough review of his submission, we are persuaded that an injustice occurred and the applicant’s request should be approved. The following evidence will show that despite flying similar or identical missions as the other pilots, he did not receive the same awards. In response to the Board’s invitation, the applicant provided additional documentation in support of his request for award of the DFC for missions flown during the Cuban Missile Crisis on 12 November 1962. We note that his flight record for the period October through December 1962, reflects that he flew RF-101s on 12 November 1962 while he was assigned to the XXX Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW). According to an Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) Cuban Missile Crisis Fact Sheet, the XXX TRW played an important part in the Cuban Missile Crisis utilizing their RF-101 aircraft for low-altitude photo- reconnaissance missions. The applicant also provides DFC citations from individuals who flew similar or identical missions. In view of the foregoing we find the DFC citations coupled with the AFHRA’s fact sheet sufficient to recommend award of the DFC for missions he flew during the Cuban Missile Crisis. We also note that the applicant has amended his request to be awarded the Air Medal instead of the DFC for missions he flew over Laos in support of Operation Field Goal. The applicant states that he was one of two pilots who flew reconnaissance missions in support of Operation Field Goal during the period 23 April 1961 to 28 May 1961, and provides a witness statement from a pilot who received the Air Medal for the same period and attests that the applicant flew these reconnaissance missions with him. Moreover, his military personnel record includes numerous references to his combat participation in Laos/Vietnam in support of Operation Field Goal. In view of the foregoing and in order to offset an injustice, we are convinced that he was deserving of the requested awards. Therefore, in the interest of justice, we recommend providing relief as 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: a. The Air Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster he was awarded on 12 November 1962, be upgraded to the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. b. He was awarded the Air Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, for meritorious achievement, while participating in aerial flights during the period 23 April 1961 to 28 May 1961. The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 3 April 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-01840 was considered: Exhibit F. Record of Proceedings, dated 13 March 2013, w/Exhibits. Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 23 January 2014, w/atchs.