RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 00-01073
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: AMERICAN LEGION
HEARING DESIRED: NO
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be credited with completing 25 combat missions and destroying 2 enemy
aircraft.
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The present citations in his possession show that he only completed 20
combat missions and destroyed one aircraft. He flew his 25th bombardment
mission on 16 Nov 1943 and was credited with the second destroyed enemy
aircraft upon his leaving England in November 1943.
In support of his application, he submits a personal statement, copies of
general orders awarding the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal
with three Oak Leaf Clusters, a copy of his separation record and
discharge, a letter to the National Personnel Records Center and other
correspondence relevant to the issues under review (Exhibit A).
___________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The majority of the applicant’s records were lost or destroyed and efforts
at reconstruction have been unsuccessful. The following is extracted from
the applicant’s limited available service records.
The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States (AUS) on 24
Jul 1942 and entered active service on 7 Aug 42. He performed duties as a
Radio Operator/Mechanic-Gunner in the Air Corps and was progressively
promoted to the grade of staff sergeant. He was assigned to the European
Theater of Operations on 8 Jun 1943. The applicant was honorably
discharged in the grade of private on 27 Sep 1945. He was credited with 2
years and 7 months of service in the continental United States and 6 months
and 19 days of Foreign Service. The record indicates the applicant was
awarded an Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters for flying 20 missions (5
missions per each award) over enemy territory and that he was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for flying 20 missions as a ball turret gunner.
He was also entitled to the Good Conduct Medal and the European-African-
Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater Ribbon.
___________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The Chief, Operational Training Division, USAF/XOOT, reviewed the
application and states that although it is possible that the applicant flew
five additional combat missions and destroyed an additional enemy aircraft,
they can make no concrete determination based on the records provided by
the National Personnel Records Center (Exhibit C).
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and states that in order to
have received the Distinguished Flying Cross he had to complete 25
missions. He states that the first aircraft he received credit for
destroying was on 25 Jun 43 on a mission to Hamburg, Germany and the second
aircraft was destroyed on a mission to Bremen, Germany on 8 Oct 43 (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 injustice. After carefully reviewing this
application, we are persuaded by the applicant's assertions concerning his
accomplishments as a ball turret gunner in a B-17 bomber and the
documentation provided that it is possible he did complete 25 combat
missions and destroyed 2 enemy aircraft while serving in the European
Theater Operations from 8 Jun 43 through 24 Nov 43. In view of the
foregoing and in recognition of his service to the Nation, it is our
opinion that any doubt should be resolved in the applicant's favor.
Therefore, we recommend that his records be corrected 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, while performing duties in the
European Theater of Operations as a Ball Turret Gunner on B-17 aircraft
during the period 8 Jun 43 through 24 Nov 43 he was credited with
completion of 25 combat missions and the destruction of 2 enemy aircraft.
___________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive
Session on 21 November 2000, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Patrick R. Wheeler, Panel Chair
Ms. Patricia D. Vestal, Member
Mr. E. David Hoard, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 May 00, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, USAF/XOOT, dated 11 Aug 00.
Exhibit D. Letters, SAF/MIBR, dated 22 Sep 00.
Exhibit F. Applicant's Rebuttal, dated 22 Sep 00 w/atchs.
PATRICK R. WHEELER
Panel Chair
AFBCMR 00-01073
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, while performing duties
in the European Theater of Operations as a Ball Turret Gunner on a B-17
aircraft during the period 8 Jun 43 through 24 Nov 43, he was credited
with completion of 25 combat missions and the destruction of 2 enemy
aircraft.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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