ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 02-02730
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: TOM DRAKE
XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) and the Distinguished Flying Cross
(DFC).
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 10 March 2003, the Board considered applicant’s request that he be
awarded the PH and DFC. The Board found insufficient evidence of an error
or injustice and denied the application. For an accounting of the facts
and circumstances surrounding the application, and the rationale of the
earlier decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings at Exhibit D.
In a letter to the applicant’s Congressman, dated 15 July 2004, the
applicant’s counsel requests reconsideration of the request for award of
the DFC and provides additional documentation (Exhibit E).
During the period in question, the Eighth Air Force had an established
policy whereby the DFC was awarded upon the completion of 25 combat
missions. Applicant completed over 25 combat missions; however, he was
shot down over Belgium/Germany on his 28th combat mission, and interned as
a Prisoner-of-War (POW), where he remained until 9 May 1945. Although he
was awarded the Air Medal, with Two Oak Leaf Clusters (AM, 2 OLC), he never
received the DFC.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of probable error or injustice warranting award of the DFC. In
this respect, we note the Board previously denied his request for award of
the DFC based on the absence of evidence that he completed a total of 25
combat missions. In support of the appeal, the applicant’s counsel has
provided 27 combat aircrew lists upon which the applicant’s name appears.
Based on this evidence, we believe the applicant has sufficiently
established that he completed a total of 27 combat missions. We also note
that during the contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established
policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of 25 heavy
bombardment missions. In view of the above, and given the total number of
missions the applicant completed, we believe he should be given the benefit
of the doubt with respect to the written recommendation and awarded the
DFC. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent
indicated below.
2. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of probable error or injustice warranting award of the Purple
Heart (PH). After careful consideration of the evidence provided in
support of his request for the PH, we find no evidence that he was ever
injured as a direct result of enemy action and awarded the PH. In view of
the above, we find no basis upon which to recommend correction of his
records to reflect he was the recipient of the PH.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating
to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 22 June 1944, he was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as
an aerial gunner on B-17 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy
occupied Continental Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2002-02730
in Executive Session on 5 August 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. David W. Mulgrew, Panel Chair
Mr. Laurence M. Groner, Member
Mr. Michael J. Novel, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit D. Record of Proceedings, dated 26 Mar 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit E. Letter, C/M Aderholt, dated 15 Jul 04, w/atchs.
DAVID W. MULGREW
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2002-02730
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 XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that on 22 June 1944, he
was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement,
while serving as an aerial gunner on B-17 airplanes on many bombardment
missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | bc-2004-00787
Under the revised policy, the DFC could be awarded for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight (Exhibit C). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Counsel for applicant states, among other things, that the requested relief should be favorably considered based on the recommendation of the applicant’s former commanding officer and in view of the established...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-00386
AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that although the applicant’s records indicate that he completed a total of 35 combat missions and he has submitted a DFC recommendation signed by his former commander, in 1946, General “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award the AM or DFC based solely on the number of combat missions completed, but rather for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Applicant’s records do not indicate he was...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | bc-2004-02294
During the period in question, he was told by a major at base headquarters that upon returning stateside, he would receive the DFC for his completion of a tour of 32 combat missions and an oak leaf cluster to the DFC for his completion of 14 lead missions. Under the revised policy, the DFC could be awarded for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. In view of this statement, and given the total number of missions the applicant...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-00916
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-00916 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Fifth and Sixth Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal (AM, 5 & 6 OLCs). In 2001, the AFBCMR awarded a DFC and additional AMs to an applicant who had...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02179
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02179 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 12 Jan 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and two additional oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal (AM). In addition, based on the Eighth Air Force policy...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2004-03794
In BC-2004-02294, the AFBCMR awarded a DFC to an applicant who had also completed more than the required ten missions as a lead navigator and an additional oak leaf cluster for completion of a tour of 32 combat missions. AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that although the applicant’s records indicate that he completed a total of 35 combat missions and he has submitted a DFC recommendation signed by his former commander, in 1946, General “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award the AM...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02299
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02299 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 2 Jan 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded an additional oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and two additional oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal (AM). ...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02052
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02052 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded two additional oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross and an additional oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal. In 1946, General “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award the AM...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00357
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00357 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 5 Aug 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and an additional oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal (AM). ...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-01247
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-01247 INDEX CODE: 107.00 XXXXXX (DECEASED) COUNSEL: DR ASTON HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 27 OCT 2007 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her deceased husband’s records be corrected to show he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and awarded the Air Medal (AM) with five Oak Leaf Clusters...