RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03672
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NO
XXXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect the award of the Air Medal (AM).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He is entitled to the AM for the 100 missions he flew during the Berlin
Airlift. (1948-1949).
In support of his application, he provides copies of his flight records
documenting the missions he flew. The applicant’s complete submission,
with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 17 May 1942, the applicant enlisted in the Army Reserve Corps at the age
of 21 in the grade of private for the duration of the war plus six months.
On 29 March 1943, he was appointed an Aviation Cadet, Army of the United
States and ordered to active duty. The applicant was discharged on 16 June
1944 upon graduation as an Aviation Cadet. On 17 June 1944, the applicant
was commissioned a second lieutenant, Army of the United States, with an
aeronautical rating of pilot and ordered to active duty the same day. He
was progressively promoted to the permanent grade of colonel with a date of
rank of 20 September 1967. The applicant served in the European Theater of
Operations under the 1258th Transportation Squadron, from 10 July 1948 to 1
February 1949. His flight record reflects 112 aerial missions.
On 31 August 1974, the applicant was honorably discharged and retired
effective 1 September 1974. He served 31 years, 5 months, and 2 days on
active duty of which 9 years, 9 months and 15 days was Foreign Service.
The applicant’s DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty,
reflects award of the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force
Commendation Medal, Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal
with one Bronze Service Star, Air Force Longevity Service Award with six
Oak Leaf Clusters, Medal for Humane Action, American Campaign Medal; World
War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and the Small Arms Expert
Marksmanship Ribbon.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends disapproval. DPPPR states that after a complete
review of the applicant’s official military record and provided
documentation, they were unable to verify his entitlement to the AM. In
addition, they were unable to find any evidence of a recommendation for, or
award of, the AM. The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
He applied for the AM at the suggestion of several Berlin Airlift veterans
who had received the award for flying 100 missions or more on the Airlift.
Some had received it in 1949-1950. They indicated it was a standard
procedure and that he should apply. If it not an established procedure or
if it was and it is too late, please disregard this application. The
applicant’s rebuttal is at Exhibit E.
_________________________________________________________________
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. After a thorough review of the available
records, we found no evidence that the applicant is eligible for the award
of the AM. We note the applicant’s assertion that he should have been
awarded the AM for flying over 100 missions during the Berlin Airlift;
however, the AM is awarded to personnel for single acts of heroism or
meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight in actual
combat in support of operations. It is not awarded for peace time
sustained operational activities and flights. There is no indication in
the applicant’s record that he was recommended for, or awarded, the AM, nor
is there evidence to indicate he was treated any differently than other
military members with similar accomplishments. In the absence of such
evidence we agree with the opinion from the Air Force office of primary
responsibility that the applicant’s achievement does not meet the
requirements for the award of the AM. The personal sacrifice the applicant
endured for his country is noted and the recommendation to deny the
requested relief in no way diminishes the high regard we have for his
service. Nevertheless, in view of the above, we find no basis to favorably
consider 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 22 June 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Frederick R. Beaman III, Panel Chair
Ms. B. J. White-Olson, Member
Mr. James W. Russell III, Member
The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-03672
was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 31 Jul 04, with atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 7 Feb 05.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Feb 05.
Exhibit E. Applicant’s Rebuttal, dated 23 Feb 05.
FREDERICK R. BEAMAN III
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-03175
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-03175 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 21 APR 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His father be awarded the Air Medal (AM) Silver Oak Leaf Cluster (SOLC) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for completing 14 lead crew missions with the 755th Squadron. We took...
AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The Chief, Awards and Decorations Section, AFPC/DPPPR, reviewed the application and states that applicant, along with all crew members who flew evacuation flights, received the Air Medal in recognition for their meritorious achievement. We recognize the periods of these awards will overlap; however, since the Air Medal was awarded for flights in C-46 and C-47 cargo aircraft and the award of Soldier’s Medal is recommended based on voluntary mercy missions flown in L-4J...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-01347
On 8 December 1945, he was relieved from active duty to accept appointment as a first lieutenant, Officers’ Reserve Corps, Army of the United States. DPPPR states that there is no evidence in the decedent’s records of a recommendation for, or award of, the DFC. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the FORMER MEMBER be corrected to show that he was awarded...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | bc-2005-01522
He should be awarded the DFC for his actions on 23 June 1952. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that the AmnM is awarded for voluntary risk of life not involving actual combat and the applicant’s actions on 23 June 1952 were previously recognized in the AM he was awarded for numerous operational flights from 8 May 1953 to 23 June 1952. On 14 June 1952, he was awarded...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00679
“I did something in 1945 that has never been done before in the history of the Air Force. He believes the basis for his uncle’s request is not the 500 hours of combat flight time but related to another incident. Evidence does; however, support the applicant’s award of the AM with 2OLC for his acts of meritorious achievement in the Pacific Theater and we note the Air Force has administratively corrected his record to reflect this award.
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02181
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02181 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 17 JANUARY 2008 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect additional oak leaf clusters (OLCs) to his approved Air Medal (AM) w/ 2 OLCs and any additional unit citations for his service in World War II. ...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-03363
DPPPR notes the applicant has applied for the DFC and PHM several times since 1997. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, however, after review of his submission and the evidence of what little record there is available, we are of the opinion that he met the requirement for award of the DFC (number of missions flown and award of six Air Medals) and feel as though he provided enough documentation to show he was recommended for the award of the DFC. FREDERICK R. BEAMAN, III Panel...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-01126
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application for upgrade of the awarded AM to the DFC be approved based on the supporting documentation provided by the applicant to substantiate that, as the aircraft commander, he planned, developed, coordinated and lead the rescue mission for which the copilot received a DFC. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00625
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00625 INDEX CODE: 107.00 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NO XXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 23 August 2006 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect the award of the Air Medal (AM). DPPPR states that after a complete review of the applicant’s official military record...
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 and a Letter of Recommendation, dated 29 May 1944, indicating that he completed a total of 25 combat missions and was awarded the DFC and AM, 3 OLC. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant states that at the time he completed a total of 25 combat missions a member would be awarded a DFC and upon completion of every five combat...