RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 02-02945
INDEX CODE: 107.00
APPLICANT COUNSEL: None
SSN HEARING DESIRED: No
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he received the Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His unit received the DFC. He was not present to receive the award
because he was in the hospital. The applicant also states that he was
a prisoner of war (POW).
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s military records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the
National Personnel Records Center.
The available records reveal that the applicant served on active duty
from 5 December 1942 through 27 August 1945. He had an overseas tour
in the European Theater of Operations from 20 August 1944
through 16 May 1945.
The applicant’s Certificate of Disability for Discharge, Enlisted
Record and Report of Separation indicates the reason and authority
for his separation was Section I, AR 615-361 dated 4 November 1944
and 1st Indorsement dated 24 August 1945. His record indicates the
place of separation as the AAF Convalescent Hospital, Fort Logan, CO
and he was discharged in the grade of staff sergeant.
His WD AGO 53-55 reflects he was awarded the Air Medal (AM) with 3 Oak
Leaf Clusters (OLC), the Good Conduct Medal (GCM), the European-
African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five (5) Bronze Battle
Stars. A DD Form 215 dated 5 December 2002 added
the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal to his
record.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR indicates the applicant stated in his application that
he was a prisoner of war (POW) and was sent home to a VA hospital.
There was no indication in the available records indicating the
applicant was a POW. The applicant provided a signed affidavit from
the pilot regarding an aborted flight on 21 May 1945. The applicant
was listed as a crewmember. However, there is no documentation
showing the applicant was a regular crewmember who flew with that
pilot. Furthermore, there is no documentation showing the pilot and
all his crew received the DFC for a series of combat flight missions.
The applicant has not provided any documentation showing he was
recommended for a DFC, nor has he provided any documentation showing
he was eligible to receive the DFC. DPPPR requested the applicant to
explain certain discrepancies between his Record of Separation and a
news article he submitted, and to provide documentation showing he was
a POW and documentation reflecting he was recommended for the DFC.
The applicant did not respond. Based on the information provided,
DPPPR recommends denying the applicant's requests.
A complete 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
31 January 2003, for review and response. 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 error or injustice. We took notice of the
applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case;
however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air
Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our decision that the
applicant has failed to sustain his burden that he has suffered either
an error or an injustice. We believe it should be pointed out that
the applicant's decorated service and sacrifice for his country has
not gone unnoticed. Notwithstanding this, no evidence has been
presented which has shown to our satisfaction that the applicant met
the established criteria for award of the DFC. However, should the
applicant provide documentation pertaining to the units he was
assigned, statements from crewmembers and proof of his POW status,
this Board would be willing to review the materials for possible
reconsideration. Otherwise, in view of the foregoing, we find no
compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this
application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and that 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 02-
02945 in Executive Session on 25 March 2003, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Robert S. Boyd, Panel Chair
Ms. Ann-Cecile McDermott, Member
Mr. James A. Wolffe, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 Jul 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 25 Nov 02.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Jan03.
ROBERT S. BOYD
Panel Chair
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 02-00722 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. Hospitalized while prisoner of war. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-02027
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-02027 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The applicant flew 32 combat missions as a B-24 pilot and was a prisoner of war from 31 December 1944 to 8 May 1945. THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ Chair AFBCMR 02-00931 MEMORANDUM FOR THE...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02073
The SAFPC evaluation is at Exhibit F. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Counsel states, among other things, that but for the applicant’s actions on 5 June 1944, the mission’s command pilot would have been in severe shock and unconscious in a matter of minutes and incapable of the aircraft flight maneuvers for which he was later awarded the Medal of Honor. Based on the established 8th Air Force policy of...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-02015
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the applicant’s request for award of the DFC and additional campaign credit for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal be denied. DPPPR recommends disapproval of the applicant’s request for award of the DFC for actions on 10 October 1944; additional campaign credit for the Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal; and, award of the Air Medal with fourth oak leaf cluster for the period 23...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00994
After a complete review of all three official military records they were able to confirm the two crewmembers received the DFC for a number of bombardment missions flown over Europe in June 1944, and the applicant receiving the Air Medal w/3 OLC in June 1944. He requested the DFC through his congressman’s office in June 1996 and was informed a written recommendation was required for award of the DFC. The Board also notes, the applicant received the Air Medal w/3 OLC during the time both...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2003-00355
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR states that the applicant has not provided any documentation showing he was recommended for, or awarded, the DFC. A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachment, is attached at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPPPWB states that a review of the applicant’s record indicates he was a POW from 13 April 1944 to 3 May 1945, approximately 13 months. A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit...
AF | BCMR | CY2002 | BC-2002-03684
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS: AFPC/DPWCM recommends the applicant’s request for award of the POW Medal be denied. On 22 October 1944, he provided the information that immediately after being shot down, he was picked up by partisans, evading capture by the enemy. After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant’s contentions, we are not persuaded he should be awarded the PH, DFC, and POW Medal.
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2002-03224
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the PH medal. AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the PH medal. The applicant has not provided any documentation or corroborating evidence that he suffered any injuries or wounds while a POW in Germany.
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2002-02730
_________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He should be awarded the PH because he was hit by shrapnel from enemy fire and should be awarded the DFC because he completed over 25 combat missions. The applicant also states that during the period in question, the 8th Air Force had an established policy whereby the DFC was awarded upon the completion of 25 combat missions. ...
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The Recognition Programs Branch, AFPC/DPPPR, reviewed this application and indicated that to be awarded the Purple Heart Medal, a member must provide documentation to support he was wounded as a direct result of enemy action. Accordingly, we recommend that the applicant’s records be corrected to reflect award of the DFC. We note the applicant’s request that his records be corrected to reflect award of...