RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2001-03377
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
After they completed 30 combat missions as a lead crew over enemy
territory, it was rumored that the entire crew was recommended for the DFC.
All of the other crewmembers, except for him, have received the DFC for
the completion of 30 combat missions.
In support of the appeal, the applicant submits statements from fellow
crewmembers, extracts from his military personnel records, and copies of
two AFBCMR cases of fellow crewmembers who were awarded the DFC based on
their completion of 30 combat missions.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant is a former Army Air Corps member who served on active duty
during the period 5 February 1943 through 14 August 1945, as a B-24 armorer
gunner. During this period he was awarded six Air Medals.
The DFC was established by Congress on 2 July 1926 and is awarded for
heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action
above and beyond the call of duty.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR defers to the Board for evaluation on its merits since
administrative procedures were followed. The applicant provided affidavits
from two crewmembers with firsthand knowledge recommending he be awarded
the DFC.
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant
on 16 May 2003 for review and response within 30 days. However, as of this
date, this office has received no response.
_________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice warranting award of the DFC. In this
respect, we note the supporting statements from two of the applicant’s
fellow crewmembers certifying that the applicant flew on the same 30 combat
missions for which they were awarded the DFC. In view of these statements
and evidence in the record reflecting his completion of 30 bombing missions
over enemy territory, we believe that he should be awarded the DFC.
Accordingly, we recommend that the 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 on 11 April 1945, he was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as
an armorer gunner on B-24 airplanes in many bombardment missions over enemy
occupied Continental Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2001-03377
in Executive Session on 10 July 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Wayne R. Gracie, Panel Chair
Ms. Jean A. Reynolds, Member
Ms. Cheryl Jacobson, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Nov 01, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 6 May 03.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 May 03.
WAYNE R. GRACIE
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2001-03377
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 on 11 April 1945, he was
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, while
serving as an armorer gunner on B-24 airplanes in many bombardment missions
over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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