RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00700
INDEX NUMBER: 107.00
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON
XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 2 Sep 06
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
The former member be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and be awarded an
oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal (AM).
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Based on the Eighth Air Force established policy of awarding an AM upon the
completion of every five heavy bomber missions, her husband was awarded the
AM. Due to being shot down at his tenth mission target and
captured/interned as a Prisoner-of-War (POW), he never received an oak leaf
cluster to the AM. He should be awarded the BSM for his voluntary,
exceptional, and devoted services while a POW. While a POW, he published a
morale-building camp newspaper which gave encouragement to bored POWs and
kept them sane.
Counsel’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The former member served in the Army Air Corps in the European Theatre of
Operation from 4 April 1944 to 15 May 1945, as a B-17, Flying Fortress,
navigator.
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.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied, and states, in part, that
the member’s records do not substantiate his entitlement to the BSM. 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 C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Counsel for applicant states, among other things, that the requested relief
should be favorably considered in view of the established Eighth Air Force
policy in effect during the period in question. Further, he should be
awarded the BSM for his daring and devoted services while a POW since a
POW’s major mental hazard was boredom and his efforts kept them from going
over the edge.
Counsel’s complete response, with attachments, 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of probable error or injustice to warrant awarding the member an
additional oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal (AM). In this respect, we
note the member was shot down on his tenth mission while serving with the
Fifteenth Air Force as a B-17, navigator. He was subsequently captured and
interned as a Prisoner-of-War (POW). We also note that during the
contested period, Fifteenth 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.
4. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice to warrant awarding the Bronze Star Medal
(BSM). In this respect, we note that counsel has failed to provide
evidence that the member was ever recommended for a BSM. The personal
sacrifice the applicant’s husband endured for his country and his
contributions to POW morale are noted and our decision in no way diminishes
the high regard we have for his service; 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 awarding 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 on 29 May 1944, he was awarded the
Air Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while
serving as a Navigator on B-17 airplanes on many bombardment missions over
enemy occupied Continental Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2005-00700
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 20 Feb 05, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Apr 05.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Apr 05.
Exhibit E. Letter, Counsel, dated 21 Apr 05, w/atchs.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
AFBCMR BC-2005-00700
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 XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that on 29 May 1944, he was
awarded the Air Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary
achievement, while serving as a Navigator on B-17 airplanes on many
bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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