RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01274 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) [formerly known as the Distinguished Unit Citation] for service in World War II. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was a Military Policeman at Hardwick Air Base, England, in 1942. Shortly after being there, he was offered the opportunity to serve in the G-4 (Intel) section with the 93rd Bomb Group in England until the end of the war. After every 100 missions, a subsequent award of the PUC was authorized. He believes he may be entitled to two or three medals for the unit’s 300 missions. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 9 Dec 41, the applicant initially entered the Army Air Corps. According to the applicant’s WG AGO 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, he served outside the continental United States in England during the period 13 Mar 44 through 20 Jun 45. On 25 Oct 45, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 10 months, and 16 days of active service, including 1 year, 3 months and 7 days foreign service. 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 denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The PUC is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on, or after, 7 Dec 1941, for United States Army units. The unit must have displayed such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to have set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would be required for award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. After a thorough review of the applicant's limited official military personnel record, there was no evidence to verify award of the PUC. The 93rd Bomb Group was awarded the PUC during inclusive dates 17 Dec 42 to 20 Feb 43 and on 1 Aug 43; however, because the applicant’s record may have been destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC) in 1973, and due to the limited official personnel records available, there was no official documentation verifying when the applicant was assigned or attached to the 93rd Bomb Group. However, upon the review of the applicant's service from 9 Dec 41 to 25 Oct 45, it was determined he should have been awarded the Good Conduct Medal (GCM), the American Campaign Medal (ACM), and the World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM) and the awards were not updated in his official military record. Upon final board decision, the applicant’s record will be administrative corrected. 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 27 Oct 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. The applicant contends that because he was assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group, and said unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), his records should be corrected to reflect his entitlement to the PUC. However, after a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we are not convinced the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. We note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicating that the 93rd Bomb Group was awarded the PUC during inclusive dates 17 Dec 42 to 20 Feb 43 and on 1 Aug 43; however, because the applicant’s records indicate that he did not leave the Continental United States (CONUS) until 13 Mar 44, there is no way he could have been assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group during the periods for which it was awarded the PUC. Therefore, in the absence of evidence the applicant was assigned or attached to the 93rd Bomb Group during a period for which it qualified for the PUC, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01274 in Executive Session on 25 Feb 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01274 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 5 May 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 8 Aug 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Oct 14. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, 3 Nov 14, w/atchs.