RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02085
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 3 JAN 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show his entitlement to the Air Medal
(AM) w/4 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC) based on six additional combat
missions flown during World War II.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He should receive the AM w/4 OLC for the last six missions he flew.
In support of his request, the applicant submits a personal
statement and WD AGO Form 100, Army Separation Qualification Record.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant's military personnel records were destroyed by fire in
1973. Data extracted from his reconstructed record reflect he
enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 20 January 1943, and was released
from active duty on 11 September 1945.
His record reflects award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the
AM w/3 OLCs.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial. DPPPR states they were able to
confirm his entitlement to the AM w/3 OLCs for mission flown out of
England in 1944 during World War II (WWII).
The applicant believes he is entitled to an additional OLC to the AM
for six additional combat missions flown during the period of
30 September 1944 to 5 January 1945.
The applicant sent an electronic reply stating it was customary to
get an AM or additional OLC for each additional mission flown as a
lead. The applicant provided his flight record which indicated he
did fly an additional six bombing missions in which he says he did
not receive any credit or recognition for. DPPPR verified a total
of 36 combat missions flown by the applicant in his master military
record.
DPPPR states, during WWII, initially flying decorations were awarded
based on the number of combat missions flown, or “scorecard” basis.
On 14 August 1943, General Henry “Hap” Arnold changed this policy and
required a fully justified recommendation in which immediate
supervisors or commanders had to submit a written narrative that
outlined the heroic act or extraordinary achievement that warranted
the AM or other flying award.
According to DPPPR the applicant’s official military record does not
contain a recommendation or special orders indicating he was awarded
the additional OLC to the AM for the remaining six combat missions
flown. With this said, the applicant must have a recommending
official who had first-hand knowledge of the act or achievement to
submit a decoration recommendation on behalf of the applicant for the
other combat missions under the 1996 National Defense Authorization
Act, since the recommendation is submitted outside the required
submission period.
The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states normally a person would be awarded an OLC for
each additional six missions, and he never received the cluster for
his last six missions. He believes that by departing the base soon
after his last mission was the reason orders were not published and
he was not awarded the AM w/4 OLC.
_________________________________________________________________
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 applicant’s submission and the available evidence of
record, we are not persuaded that the relief requested is warranted.
The Board notes, the policy for awarding the AM based on the number
of combat missions flown was changed on 14 August 1943. This change
required a justified recommendation from the chain of command
outlining the heroic act or extraordinary achievement and no
evidence has been presented to show the applicant was recommended
for an additional AM for the last six combat missions flown.
Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendations of the Air
Force and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that
the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In
the absence of persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no
compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this
application.
_______________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of a 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 no considered with this application.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2005-
02085 in Executive Session on 9 November 2005, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Kathleen F. Graham, Panel Chair
Mr. Alan A. Blomgren, Member
Ms. Jan Mulligan, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 26 May 05, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Reconstructed Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 15 Sep 05.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Sep 05.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 26 Sep 05.
KATHLEEN F. GRAHAM
Panel Chair
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