RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  98-00446
                 INDEX CODE:  107

                 COUNSEL:  NONE

                 HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation From the  Armed  Forces  of  the
United States, be corrected to reflect the award of the Air Medal.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He received the Air Medal for 19 combat missions he flew  over  Korea.
Applicant states that all combat veterans were  eligible  for  a  six-
month early discharge.  As the processing room was crowded and  clerks
were busy, he believes this was the cause for the oversight.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of the DD Form
214 and a Letter of Accomplishments, dated  12  December  1952,  which
states in part that the applicant had flown 19 combat missions in  the
Korean theater.

Applicant’s submission is attached at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

It appears that applicant’s military personnel records were  destroyed
by fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Records Center,  St.  Louis,
Missouri.  However,  the  available  records  reflect  that  applicant
enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 March 1950  in  the  grade  of
private.  He was subsequently honorably  discharged  on  14  September
1953 in the grade of staff sergeant.  He served 3 years 5  months  and
18 days of active service.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Recognition Programs Branch, Promotions, Evaluation &  Recognition
Division, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA, states that the applicant served  on  active
duty 27 March 1950 to 14 September 1953 and was stationed  on  Okinawa
from 12 June 1952 to 9  December  1952.   He  provided  a  picture  of
himself  receiving  the  Air  Medal  but  does  not  have  any   other
documentation  to  verify  this  decoration.   On   7 May   1998,   HQ
AFPC/DPPPRA requested the Historical Research Center  at  Maxwell  Air
Force Base, Alabama to search their files for a copy  of  the  orders.
However, they were unable to locate a copy of any orders awarding  the
applicant any decorations.

Since the applicant’s records were destroyed by fire  in  1973,  there
are no documents regarding his service, except those he has  provided.
Without a copy of the orders, they cannot verify  that  the  applicant
was recommended for or awarded the  Air  Medal.   A  photograph  in  a
newspaper is not considered sufficient justification  to  comply  with
the applicant’s request.  They recommend the  applicant’s  request  be
denied.

A copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the  applicant  on
29 June 1998 for review and  response.   A  copy  of  the  applicant’s
response, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

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 probable error or  injustice  warranting  relief.   After
reviewing the limited military personnel records and  the  applicant’s
submission, it appears that he was awarded the  Air  Medal.   Although
there  is  no  evidence  in  the  available  military  record  or   in
applicant’s submission, i.e., an order or citation for  the  award  in
question to indicate he was awarded this decoration, we note that  the
applicant served in Korea and  apparently  flew  at  least  19  combat
missions.  It appears that individuals who flew a minimum of 10 combat
missions during the contested time period  were  entitled  to  an  Air
Medal.  Further, we also note the official photograph of the applicant
receiving the award from his superior officer.  In view of  the  above
and in an effort to offset an injustice to the applicant, 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 the DD Form 214,
Report of Separation From the Armed Forces of the United States, Item
27., Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and
Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, be amended by adding:  “Air
Medal.”

_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________

The following members of the  Board  considered  this  application  in
Executive Session on 2 February 1999, under the provisions of AFI  36-
2603:

                  Mr. Michael P. Higgins, Panel Chair
                  Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Member
              Mr. Patrick R. Wheeler, Member

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

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 Feb 98, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Available Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA, dated 10 Jun 98.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 29 Jun 98.
   Exhibit E.  Applicant’s Letter, dated 4 Jul 98.




                              MICHAEL P. HIGGINS
                              Panel Chair


INDEX CODE:  107

AFBCMR 98-00446




MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

      Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air
Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority
of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is
directed that:

      The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that the DD Form 214,
Report of Separation From the Armed Forces of the United States, Item
27, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign
Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, be, and hereby is, amended by adding:
“Air Medal.”







   JOE G. LINEBERGER

   Director

   Air Force Review Boards Agency