Search Decisions

Decision Text

AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-02293
Original file (BC-2004-02293.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

                            RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-02293
            INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

      XXXXXXX    COUNSEL:  ROBERT L. ASTON

      XXXXXXX    HEARING DESIRED:  NO


_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded two additional Air Medals (AMs).

_________________________________________________________________

THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Based on the Eighth Air Force established policy of awarding an AM upon  the
completion of every five heavy bomber missions  and  since  he  completed  a
total of 36 combat missions, he should be awarded two  additional  AMs.   He
is aware that a few former crewmembers have  received  additional  AMs  that
they should have received during the 1944-1945 timeframe.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits  a  statement  from  his  former
aircraft navigator and a list of his combat missions.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served  as  a  B-
24, Liberator, airplane commander in the European Theatre of Operation.   He
completed a total of 36 combat missions.

The AM is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement while  participating
in aerial flight.

During World War II, the Eighth Air Force had an established policy  whereby
a DFC was awarded upon the completion of 35 heavy bomber missions and an  AM
was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions.

_________________________________________________________________



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 probable error or injustice warranting award of additional  oak
leaf clusters to the AM.  In this respect, we note the  applicant  completed
a total of 36 combat missions while assigned to the Eighth Air Force as a B-
24 airplane commander.  We also  note  that  during  the  contested  period,
Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby an AM  was  awarded  upon
the completion of every  five  heavy  bombardment  missions.   We  have,  on
previous  occasions,  favorably  considered  similar  appeals  from   former
members  of  the  applicant’s  aircrew.   In  support  of  the  appeal,  the
applicant has provided a recommendation from his former navigator.  In  view
of this, and given the total number of missions the applicant completed,  we
believe he should be awarded two additional AMs.   Therefore,  we  recommend
his records be corrected to the extent 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:

      a.    On 2 January 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak  Leaf
Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as airplane  commander
on  B-24  airplanes  on  many  bombardment  missions  over  enemy   occupied
Continental Europe.

      b.    On 28 January 1945, he was awarded  the  Air  Medal,  Sixth  Oak
Leaf Cluster, for  extraordinary  achievement,  while  serving  as  airplane
commander  on  B-24  airplanes  on  many  bombardment  missions  over  enemy
occupied Continental Europe.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered  Docket  Number  BC-2004-02293
in Executive Session on 30 August 2004, under  the  provisions  of  AFI  36-
2603:

                       Mr. Michael K. Gallogly, Panel Chair
                       Ms. Martha J. Evans, Member
                       Mr. James W. Russell, III, Member





All members voted to correct the records,  as  recommended.   The  following
documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Jul 04, w/atchs.




                                  MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY
                                  Panel Chair


AFBCMR BC-2004-02293




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:

      a.    On 2 January 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf
Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as airplane commander
on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied
Continental Europe.

      b.    On 28 January 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Sixth Oak
Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as airplane
commander on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy
occupied Continental Europe.








JOE G. LINEBERGER

Director

Air Force Review Boards Agency

Similar Decisions

  • AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02299

    Original file (BC-2005-02299.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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 | CY2005 | BC-2005-02179

    Original file (BC-2005-02179.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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 | CY2006 | BC-2006-02052

    Original file (BC-2006-02052.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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-2004-03794

    Original file (BC-2004-03794.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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-2005-02255

    Original file (BC-2005-02255.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02255 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 22 Jan 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFCs), an additional oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal (AM), and the Army Commendation Medal (ACM). In this...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2004 | bc-2004-02294

    Original file (bc-2004-02294.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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-2004-00787

    Original file (bc-2004-00787.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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 | CY2006 | BC-2006-01247

    Original file (BC-2006-01247.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-00916

    Original file (BC-2004-00916.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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-2005-00538

    Original file (BC-2005-00538.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00538 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 20 Aug 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded three additional oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal (AM). _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE...