RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00359
INDEX NUMBER: 107.00
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON
XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 5 Aug 06
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
The former member be awarded the Air Medal (AM), the Bronze Star Medal
(BSM) and his records be corrected to reflect entitlement to the European-
African-Middle Eastern-Campaign Medal (EAMECM), the American Campaign Medal
(ACM), the World War II Victory Medal, and two Presidential Unit Citations,
and his next of kin be provided with a full set of his medals.
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
In lieu of awarding the Air Medal (AM) based on the member’s completion of
five heavy bomber missions and the Eighth Air Force established policy of
awarding an AM upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions, the
former member should be awarded the BSM for completing seven combat
missions and giving his life while engaged in mortal, aerial combat with
the enemy on his last mission.
On 21 January 1944, the former member was ordered to leave his waist gunner
position and repair the nose guns while under intense enemy fire from about
30 enemy aircraft and was killed.
In support of the appeal, counsel submits a statement from the former 68th
Bomb Squadron Commander recommending the former member for award of the
BSM, and a list of his combat missions.
Counsel’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The former member’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the National
Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Therefore, the following information has
been extracted from the documentation provided by counsel and the
reconstructed records.
The former member served in the Army Air Corps in the European Theatre of
Operation as a B-24, Liberator, aerial gunner. He completed a total of 7
combat missions. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
The BSM is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not
involving participating in aerial flight, in connection with military
operations against an armed enemy.
The AM is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement while participating
in aerial flight.
During World War II, the Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby
an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that they are forced to recommend the
application be denied since there are no military records to substantiate
his entitlement to any of the awards. However, based on his time in
service during World War II, he would most assuredly be entitled to the
EAMECM, the ACM, the World War II Victory Medal, and two Distinguished Unit
Citations (now called the Presidential Unit Citation). He was credited
with flying seven combat missions and was not awarded an AM for any of his
missions flown. The BSM is not an aerial award and is awarded for heroic
or meritorious achievement not involving aerial flight. Further, in 1943,
General “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award the AM or DFC
based solely on the number of combat missions completed, but rather for
acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight.
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit B.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Counsel for applicant states, among other things, in view of the
established Eighth Air Force policy in effect during the period in
question, the member was due the AM for his completion of five combat
missions. Based on his heroic actions, the BSM should be awarded as an
exception. Further, during the period in question the BSM was awarded on
occasion to Army Air Corps members in similar situations. His actions
warrant a decoration above an AM and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
Further, previous evaluations refer to General Arnold’s 1946 memorandum,
rather than 1943 memorandum.
Counsel’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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of probable error or injustice to warrant awarding the Air Medal
(AM) and correcting the member’s records to reflect his entitlement to the
European-African-Middle Eastern-Campaign Medal, the American Campaign
Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and two Distinguished Unit
Citations. Although the member’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973,
the Air Force office of primary responsibility has indicated that based on
his time in service during World War II, he would most assuredly be
entitled to the above medals and citations. We note that the member
completed a total of seven missions while serving with 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 an AM was awarded upon
the completion of every five combat missions. In view of the above, and
given the total number of missions the member completed, we recommend his
records be corrected to the extent indicated below. Once his records have
been corrected, the applicant will be provided a full set of her late
father’s medals from the appropriate office of the Air Force.
4. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice to warrant awarding the BSM. In this
respect, we note that the BSM is awarded for heroic or meritorious
achievement not involving aerial flight. The ultimate personal sacrifice
the applicant’s father endured for his country is noted and our decision in
no way diminishes the high regard we have for his actions on 21January
1944; however, insufficient documentary evidence has been presented to
warrant awarding him the BSM. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the
contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the request for
award of the BSM.
_________________________________________________________________
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 7 January 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal for
extraordinary achievement, while serving as an aerial gunner on B-24
airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental
Europe.
b. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern-Campaign
Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and two
Distinguished Unit Citations.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2005-00359
in Executive Session on 26 May 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
Ms. Renee M. Collier, Member
Ms. Kathy L. Boockholdt, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 Jan 05, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Apr 05.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Apr 05.
Exhibit D. Letter, Counsel, dated 21 Apr 05.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
AFBCMR BC-2005-00359
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 XXXXXX, be corrected to show that:
a. On 7 January 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal for
extraordinary achievement, while serving as an aerial gunner on B-17
airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental
Europe.
b. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern-
Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory
Medal, and two Distinguished Unit Citations.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00358
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Counsel states that, among other things, that the requested relief should be favorably considered based on the recommendation of the member’s former commander and in view of the established Eighth Air Force policy in effect during the period in question. In this respect, we note the member completed a total of 12 combat missions while...
AF | BCMR | CY2009 | BC-2009-00219
In 1943, General “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award the AM or DFC based solely on the number of combat missions completed, but rather for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. In this respect, the available evidence of record reflects the applicant completed a total of 35 combat missions while assigned to the Eighth Air Force as a B-17 pilot. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant’s Member of Congress, dated 23 Mar 09, w/atchs.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 01-00860 INDEX CODE 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded two additional Air Medal (AMs) for his last ten combat missions. Had the recommendations been submitted and denied, they do not believe any documentation would be found in his records, since he and his records had departed...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060010786C071029
The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board for review. It states, in pertinent part, that a bronze service star is authorized with this award for each campaign a member participated in while serving in the ETO. Given the applicant received the BSM during World War II, it would be appropriate to correct his record and separation document to show he is entitled the 1st Oak Leaf Cluster with his BSM based on entitlement to the CIB.
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-01247
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-01247 INDEX CODE: 107.00 XXXXXX (DECEASED) COUNSEL: DR ASTON HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 27 OCT 2007 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her deceased husband’s records be corrected to show he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and awarded the Air Medal (AM) with five Oak Leaf Clusters...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 01991
NPRC records do not show he was awarded the Aerial Gunner Badge or the Aircrew Member Badge. However, he was awarded both since he completed training and served in a unit that completed combat missions. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. USAF/A3O-AIF recommends approval of the request for the Aircrew Member Badge.
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-01651
________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends the applicant’s request for issuance of the PH, DFC and BSM to her late husband be denied, and states, in part, that no official documentation has been provided to show the member was recommended for, or awarded the DFC, BSM, and PH. RITA S. LOONEY Panel Chair MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS (AFBCMR) SUBJECT: XXXXXXXXX,...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-00386
AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that although the applicant’s records indicate that he completed a total of 35 combat missions and he has submitted a DFC recommendation signed by his former commander, in 1946, General “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award the AM or DFC based solely on the number of combat missions completed, but rather for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Applicant’s records do not indicate he was...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003084180C070212
The applicant requests that the records of his father, a deceased former service member (FSM) be corrected to reflect award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) based on his award of the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II. In addition to the Combat Infantryman Badge, his WD AGO Form 53-55 indicates he was award the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, a Bronze Arrowhead, “a Fourragere,” and the Decree of...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00543
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00543 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 20 Aug 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded two additional oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal (AM). Although applicant has provided documentation indicating he completed 30 combat missions,...