RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2002-03804
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
The wife of the former member requests his records be corrected to
show he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The wife of the former member contends that he felt that he deserved
the DFC for his duty on Shemya Island during World War II (WWII).
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a copy of three
certificates, a copy of General Orders, a copy of military/civilian
education, a copy of his Army Separation Qualification Record, a copy
of the Air Medal Citation, a copy of the 28th Composite Group Lineage,
and a copy of a newspaper article.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The former member’s master personnel record (MPR) appears to have been
destroyed by the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center
(NPRC) in St. Louis. The only documents pertaining to the former
member’s military service are those provided by the applicant. The
former member served on Active Duty during the period 26 July 1942
through 28 May 1946, and his highest grade was captain. During his
first four months, he served as a pilot of a four-engine aircraft.
The next 32 months were served as an Operations Officer in the 404th
Bombardment Squadron in the Aleutians. His last five months were
spent as a Public Relations Officer. A news article stated that the
former member participated in combat aerial missions while serving as
an Operations Officer in the Aleutians. He received the Air Medal for
the period 15 August 1944 through 3 February 1945 for participating in
numerous strikes against Japanese installations in the Northern
Kuriles.
From the documents provided by the applicant, they verified that the
former member is entitled to the Air Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Distinguished Unit Citation,
American Campaign Medal, and WWII Victory Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR states that the applicant has submitted her request based
on statements by the former member that he felt he should have
received the Distinguished Flying Cross. The applicant cannot at this
time provide any documentation showing the former member was
recommended for this decoration. She believes a footlocker lost in
shipment in July 1945 might contain documentation pertinent to her
request. However, the former member served in the 404th Bombardment
Squadron during the period 5 August 1943 through 5 February 1946.
Therefore, the footlocker would most likely not contain any documents
pertaining to the former member’s military service after 1945.
Therefore, they recommend denial of applicant’s request.
A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The wife of the former member states that she has not based this claim
solely on opinions, as she has reviewed some letters received during
the time of his Missions from the Island of Shema, Alaska, to bomb the
enemy targets (Japan), and also of information given to her by his
military associates with whom she is in contact.
She states that she has filed this claim based on several reasons, his
descriptions orally and in writing of his missions, information from
his military associates, and some historical records of those missions
in publications. Without finding official orders for his DFC
recommendation, she is unable to provide the required evidence. She
appreciates the assistance of each department that processed this
application and inquiry. The records she is seeking would be for his
duty as a pilot on the Island of Shemya, Alaska, 1944-45. She is not
concerned with his additional duty 1945-46 to Enid, Oklahoma. It was
her understanding that the applicant (former member) had more than
three missions of combat flight. This does not infer a dispute of HQ
AFPC/DPPPR records as stated.
She received the request cited in the aforementioned letter to
withdraw this application. She states it is with reluctance that she
does so, but does not wish to place a further burden on the
government, the Air Force and others regarding this case.
Applicant's complete response 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the complete
submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with
the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their
rationale as the basis for the conclusion that the former member was
not been the victim of an error or injustice. It has been verified
that the former member was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious
achievement in aerial flights for the period 15 August 1944 to 3
February 1945. Documentation shows he did, however, accomplish three
combat flight missions, for which he was awarded the Air Medals. As
stated, the Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to service members
who distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement
while participating in aerial flight. There is no evidence that the
former member was recommended for the award of the Distinguished
Flying Cross. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary,
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 this application, BC-
2002-03804 in Executive Session on 11 June 2003, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Michael K. Gallogly, Panel Chair
Mr. John B. Hennessey, Member
Ms. Barbara J. White-Olson, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 26 Jan 01, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 15 Apr 03.
Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 25 Apr 03.
Exhibit E. Applicant’s Response, dated 19 May 03.
MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY
Panel Chair
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