RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 00-01950
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Soldier’s Medal.
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He should be awarded the Soldier’s Medal because he was the only pilot who
volunteered to fly six mercy missions, when all other planes were grounded
due to weather.
The applicant states that he flew individuals requiring immediate medical
attention under extremely hazardous conditions. He completed these
missions in an L-4J aircraft that was not equipped for instrument flight.
The applicant’s complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the
applicant's military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the
appropriate office of the Air Force. Accordingly, there is no need to
recite these facts in this Record of Proceedings.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The Chief, Awards and Decorations Section, AFPC/DPPPR, reviewed the
application and states that applicant, along with all crew members who flew
evacuation flights, received the Air Medal in recognition for their
meritorious achievement. Therefore, they recommend the application be
denied.
A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and provided a response
that is attached at Exhibit G.
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 award of the Soldier’s
Medal. The applicant’s former supervisor has provided an eyewitness
statement indicating that during the period 27 July 1945 to 2 September
1945, the applicant was the only pilot who volunteered to fly six mercy
missions in an L-4J aircraft that was not equipped for instrument flight,
under extremely hazardous conditions, when all other planes were grounded
due to weather. He further states that applicant’s heroic actions resulted
in the saving of at least two lives. We recognize that, during the period
in question, the applicant was awarded an Air Medal covering the period
16 November 1944 to 30 September 1945 for meritorious achievement while
participating in aerial flight from Harmon Field, Guam Air Depot, as a
combat crew member of C-46 and C-47 cargo ships performing sustained supply
missions, evacuating wounded and transporting essential personnel. The
applicant states that he was awarded the Air Medal for flying supplies to
Iwo Jima and evacuating wounded in cargo ships and requests award of the
Soldier’s Medal for flying individuals who needed immediate surgery or
other medical treatment in an L-4J aircraft. In view of the eyewitness
statement and since the applicant’s heroic actions did involve his
voluntary risk of life in an aircraft that was not equipped for instrument
flight, under extremely hazardous conditions not involving conflict with an
armed enemy, we believe his flights in the L-4J aircraft meet the criteria
for award of the Soldier’s Medal. We recognize the periods of these awards
will overlap; however, since the Air Medal was awarded for flights in C-46
and C-47 cargo aircraft and the award of Soldier’s Medal is recommended
based on voluntary mercy missions flown in L-4J aircraft, we do not believe
awarding the applicant the Soldier’s Medal would constitute dual
recognition. Therefore, 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 he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal
for heroism while performing emergency evacuation of seriously injured and
ill patients from Angaur Island to Peleliu Island in L-4J aircraft during
the period 27 July 1945 to 2 September 1945.
The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive
Session on 30 January 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Thomas S. Markiewicz, Vice Chair
Frederick R. Beaman, III, Member
Peggy E. Gordon, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 Jul 00, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 4 Aug 00, w/atchs.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 18 Aug 00.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 28 Aug 00.
Exhibit F. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 11 Sep 00.
Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 24 Nov 00, w/atchs.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Vice Chair
AFBCMR 00-01950
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 he was awarded the
Soldier’s Medal for heroism while performing emergency evacuation of
seriously injured and ill patients from Angaur Island to Peleliu Island in
L-4J aircraft during the period 27 July 1945 to 2 September 1945.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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