RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01457
INDEX NUMBER: 107.00
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show that he received five additional Air
Medals (AMs).
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He is owed five more AMs that he was awarded but not credited on his
discharge. He completed a total of 40 combat missions and was credited
with one confirmed destruction of an ME-109. He is the only member of his
former aircrew that did not receive proper credit.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The National Personnel Records Center has been unable to locate the
applicant’s records and it is presumed they were destroyed by fire in 1973.
Therefore, the following information has been extracted from the
documentation submitted by the applicant.
The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served in the
European, African, and Middle Eastern Theatres of Operation from 6 April
1943 through 4 February 1944, as an aerial gunner, with the 37th
Bombardment Squadron. His Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, issued
in conjunction with his 11 September 1945 separation, reflects that he was
awarded the AM, with four OLCs.
The AM is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement while participating
in aerial flight.
In 1942, the 12th Air Force had an established policy whereby an AM was
awarded upon the completion of every five bomber missions and the
destruction of an enemy aircraft.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part,
although they have verified the applicant was awarded the AM, with four oak
leaf clusters, they were unable to find evidence that he was recommended
for, or awarded five additional oak leaf clusters.
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit B.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
His records have been destroyed by fire and as a result, his service-
connected disability has been terminated. However, he is not giving up on
the five AMs he earned. There are only three surviving members of his
aircrew.
Applicant’s complete response 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice. The National Personnel Records Center has
been unable to locate applicant’s records and it is presumed they were
destroyed by fire in 1973. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted;
however, in the absence of official documentation to substantiate the total
number of combat missions he completed, we find insufficient documentary
evidence has been presented to warrant awarding him additional Air Medals.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence that he completed a total of 40
combat missions, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the
relief sought in this application. Should the applicant provide statements
from other crew members who served with him on the same combat mission
flights and were awarded nine AMs, the Board will reconsider his request.
_________________________________________________________________
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 Docket Number BC-2004-01457
in Executive Session on 3 August 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Olga M. Crerar, Panel Chair
Mr. John B. Hennessey, Member
Mr. James W. Russell, III, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 27 Apr 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 25 May 04.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 May 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 3 Jun 04.
OLGA M. CRERAR
Panel Chair
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