RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-00787
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).
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Although the Eighth Air Force policy of awarding a DFC upon the completion
of 35 combat missions was terminated on 31 December 1944, he should be
awarded the DFC as directed under Executive Order 10189 for completion of a
tour of 35 combat missions.
In 2001, the AFBCMR awarded a DFC and additional AMs to an applicant who
had also completed a total of 35 combat missions based on the established
Eighth Air Force policy.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a statement from his former
aircraft commander recommending him for award of the DFC, 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 in the
European Theatre of Operation from 7 April 1944 to 25 November 1944 as a B-
24, Liberator, aerial gunner. He participated in the Rhineland, Northern
France, Central Europe, and Ardennes campaigns. His Enlisted Record and
Report of Separation, issued in conjunction with his 6 April 1945
separation, reflects that he was awarded the Air Medal, with Three Oak Leaf
Clusters (AM, 3 OLC).
The DFC was established by Congress on 2 July 1926 and is awarded for
heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action
above and beyond the call of duty.
During World War II, the 8th 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.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 4 May 2004, AFPC/DPPPR advised the applicant that a written
recommendation made by someone in his chain of command at the time of the
incident who had firsthand knowledge of the acts or achievement is required
for processing his recommendation. In addition, the recommendation must be
submitted through a congressional member who can ask a military service to
review a proposal for a decoration based on the merits of the proposal and
the award criteria in existence when the event occurred. AFPC/DPPPR also
stated, in part, that on 14 August 1943, General “Hap” Arnold sent a
memorandum to all Theater Commanders which revised the policy for award of
the DFC. 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 Eighth
Air Force policy in effect during the period in question.
Counsel’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
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 the DFC and
additional oak leaf clusters to the AM. In this respect, we note the
applicant completed a total of 35 combat missions while assigned to the
Eighth Air Force as a B-24 aerial gunner. We also note that during the
contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC
was awarded upon the completion of 35 heavy bombardment missions and an AM
was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bombardment missions.
In support of the appeal, the applicant has provided a recommendation from
his former commanding officer. In view of this, and given the total number
of missions the applicant completed, we believe he should be awarded the
DFC and 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 21 February 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak
Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an Aerial
Gunner on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied
Continental Europe.
b. On 28 February 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Sixth Oak
Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an Aerial
Gunner on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied
Continental Europe.
c. On 1 March 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an Aerial Gunner on B-24
airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental
Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-00787
in Executive Session on 21 July 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 5 Mar 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 4 May 04, w/atch.
Exhibit D. Letter, Counsel, dated 4 Jul 04, w/atchs.
MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2004-00787
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:
a. On 21 February 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth
Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an Aerial
Gunner on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied
Continental Europe.
b. On 28 February 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Sixth
Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an Aerial
Gunner on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied
Continental Europe.
c. On 1 March 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an Aerial Gunner on B-
24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental
Europe.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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