RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01096
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show that he was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Having had 23 bombing missions, he believes he is entitled to the DFC
during World War II (WWII). He was shot down and taken prisoner on
his 23rd mission. He was unaware that he was entitled to the DFC
until he saw a notice in the newspaper.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a personal statement.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s master personnel record (MPR) appears to have been
destroyed by the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center
(NPRC) in St. Louis. However, the following facts have been obtained
using available records.
Applicant enlisted in the Army of the United States on 23 November
1942. He performed duties as a Radio Operator Mechanical Gunner 757.
His highest grade held was technical sergeant, and was assigned to
duties in the 340th Bomb Group 428th Bomb Squadron. The applicant was
a POW from 10 March 1945 to 11 May 1945.
On 20 October 1945, while serving in the grade of technical sergeant,
he was honorably discharged. He was credited with 2 years, 3 months
and 26 days of active duty service, of which 7 months and 2 days were
foreign service. He participated in the battles of Rome Arno and
North Apennines and was entitled to the Air Medal, 2-Battle Star, Good
Conduct Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign
Ribbon, and Purple Heart.
On 14 July 2004, applicant was informed that there was an error on his
WD AGO Form 53-55, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty. A DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of
Release or Discharge from Active Duty, has been completed to correct
item 13 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show that he is the recipient of
the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal for the period 10 March 1945 to 11 May
1945 in Germany.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR states that the applicant’s military personnel record does
reflect he was a POW during WWII; therefore, he is entitled to the POW
medal which will be added to his DD Form 214. Since there was no
evidence in the applicant’s military record that he was recommended
for, or awarded, the DFC, they are unable to verify his entitlement to
it. The applicant may pursue the DFC under the provisions of the 1996
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This act provides a
process for veterans to be recommended for decorations if someone (a
previous supervisor or commander), other than the veteran, with first
hand knowledge of the act, service, or achievement submits a written
justification for the decoration through a member of congress.
Therefore, they recommend denial of applicant’s request for award of
the DFC and recommend he use the provisions of the 1996 NDAA.
A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 23 July 2004, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to
the applicant for review and response within 30 days. 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 opinion and recommendation of the Air Force
and adopt their rationale as the basis for the conclusion that the
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. The
Distinguished Flying Cross is not awarded for having been shot down
and taken POW when an individual has already received recognition for
aerial achievements. 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, or awarded
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 in
Executive Session on 25 August 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Michael K. Gallogly, Panel Chair
Mr. Terry L. Scott, Member
Mr. Albert C. Ellett, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 31 Mar 04, w/atch.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Jul 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Jul 04.
MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-00644
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-00644 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. There is no evidence in his records of a recommendation for award of the DFC. Military Personnel Record Exhibit C. Letter,...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2003-01051
Further, DPPPR argues to award the applicant the DFC after he was awarded a medal for his actions would be an injustice to all other recipients of the AM awarded for actions similar to those of the applicant. DPPRSP’s letter to the applicant, with attachments, is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant submitted additional documentation, through his congressman, withdrawing his request for the AFC and requested that his AM be upgraded to a DFC. Applicant’s...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-00372
Therefore, the facts surrounding his Air Force military service cannot be verified. He entered active duty on 1 June 1944 and was assigned to duties in the Air Corps. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 1 June 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating as a member of an aircrew...
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 | CY2010 | BC-2010-01224
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01224 INDEX CODE: 100.00 XXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). While there is no evidence to indicate that during the period in question, the Fifteenth Air Force awarded the DFC for sustained operational activities, i.e., number of...
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-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...
There is no indication in his records, and he did not provide any documentation, showing he was recommended for the DFC or an oak leaf cluster to his AM. The operative word in [the former group commander’s] statement that the Chief apparently overlooked is “Before” [emphasis applicant’s]. Therefore, the criteria for that command was not completion of a specified number of missions (35) before being recommended for the DFC and completing a tour.
_________________________________________________________________ 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...
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.