RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03796
INDEX NUMBER: 107.00
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 13 Jun 06
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Silver Star (SS) for his actions during a bombing raid to
a strategic target at Hamburg, Germany, on 30 October 1944.
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The interrogating intelligence officer at the de-briefing of the mission
proposed the SS; however, he never heard anything further. Based on the
commander’s reputation of favoring only pilots for higher decorations, and
since he was a navigator, the SS proposal was likely ignored or never
considered.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits an affidavit and narrative
recommendation for award of the SS from the former group commander
indicating that based on the applicant’s actions during the subject
mission, he should have been awarded the SS.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant is a former Army Air Corps member who served on active duty from
22 April 1944 to 30 September 1945. During the period 21 July 1944 through
14 March 1945, he was assigned to the 67th Bombardment Squadron in England
as a B-24 navigator and completed 35 combat missions.
On 24 April 2001, the Board favorably considered applicant’s request to be
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and fifth and sixth oak leaf
clusters to the Air Medal for flying 10 combat missions over the required
25 missions.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that
applicant has already received a decoration in recognition of his service
during World War II. An individual cannot receive two decorations for the
same actions/period of time as this would constitute dual recognition.
There is no indication in his records, and he has not provided any
documentation, showing that a recommendation for the SS was submitted.
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Contrary to the evaluation, there are numerous other combat instances where
multiple awards have been made for actions in the same period of time to
other combat aviators for individual acts of heroism, bravery, and
leadership. Further, he provides a recommendation from the next higher
official in his former chain of command.
Applicant’s complete response 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 evidence
of record and applicant’s submission, we are not persuaded that relief
should be granted. The affidavit and narrative recommendation for award of
the SS from the applicant’s former group commander are duly noted; however,
insufficient corroborative evidence has been presented to substantiate that
the SS recommendation would have been approved. Therefore, in the absence
of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend
granting the relief sought.
_________________________________________________________________
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-2004-03796
in Executive Session on 2 March 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Michael J. Novel, Panel Chair
Mr. Clarence D. Long, III, Member
Mr. Patrick C. Daugherty, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Dec 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 Dec 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Jan 05.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Jan 05.
MICHAEL J. NOVEL
Panel Chair
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