RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-02057
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Air Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
An announcement by the 8th Air Force Bomber Station in England to his local
paper stated that he was awarded the Air Medal “for meritorious achievement
while serving on a B-17 during combat bombing missions over Nazi Europe.”
This information was not recorded on his discharge paper.
In support of the application, the applicant submits his correspondence
with a member of Congress, a supportive statement from his Congressman, two
discharge certificates, an article from a local newspaper, two separation
documents, and copies of his correspondence with the Air Force Review
Boards Agency (AFRBA).
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant’s military records were either lost or destroyed. The
following information is extracted from partially reconstructed records
provided by the applicant. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the
United States on 14 January 1944 and entered active duty on 17 February
1944. Following his successful completion of training, he performed duties
as a Flight Engineer and Gunner. The applicant served in the European
Theater of Operations from 13 February 1945 to 27 June 1945. He
participated in the Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland
campaigns. He was honorably discharged in the grade of technical sergeant
on 9 November 1945. He was credited with 1 year, 9 months and 26 days of
active duty service, of which 4 months and 25 days were Foreign Service.
His Report of Separation reflects award of the European-African-Middle
Eastern Theater Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for service in the Air Corps on
10 November 1945 and served in the grade of technical sergeant until 9
December 1946, when he was honorably discharged for the convenience of the
government. He was credited with a total of 2 years, 10 months and 23 days
of service for pay. During this last period of service, he served 7 months
in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations. He was awarded the World War
II Victory Medal during this period of service. He subsequently served
honorably in the Air Force Reserve from 29 November 1946 to 27 March 1953.
He was credited a period of active duty from 11 August 1950 to 10 August
1951.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR states although there is no documentation in the applicant’s
almost non-existent personnel record to support his award of the Air Medal,
they believe there may be sufficient information available to favor his
entitlement. Historically, a person with the credit the applicant received
most likely would have been awarded at least one Air Medal for meritorious
achievement. DPPPR states although they cannot recommend approval based on
the absence of substantiating documentation, they would ask the Board to
consider approval.
DPPPR’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for
review and comment on 17 September 2004. As of this date, this office has
received no response.
_________________________________________________________________
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 injustice. The documentation submitted by the applicant was
limited; however, in view of the opinion expressed by the Air Force office
of primary responsibility stating, “(h)istorically, a person with the
aforementioned credits most probably would have been awarded at least one
Air Medal for meritorious achievement,” we believe any doubt in this matter
should be resolved in the applicant’s favor and his records should be
corrected in the following manner.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating
to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 9 November 1945, he was awarded
the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while serving as a waist gunner
on a B-17 bomber on combat missions over enemy occupied territory in Europe
during the period 13 February 1945 to 27 June 1945.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-
02057 in Executive Session on 1 February 2005, under the provisions of AFI
36-2603:
Mr. Roscoe Hinton Jr., Panel Chair
Mr. Michael V. Barbino, Member
Ms. Ann-Cecil M. McDermott, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Jun 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 13 Sep 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Sep 04.
ROSCOE HINTON JR.
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2004-02057
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 APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 9 November 1945, he
was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while serving as a
waist gunner on a B-17 bomber on combat missions over enemy occupied
territory in Europe during the period 13 February 1945 to 27 June 1945.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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