RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02187
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 15 JAN 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show his entitlement to the Air Medal
(AM).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He should receive the AM for being held as a prisoner of war (POW)
based on information he received from the 91st Bomb Group Historian,
which states repatriated POWs were entitled to the AM on the
strength of the returnee’s statement regardless of the number of
missions flown.
In support of his request, the applicant submits WG AGO Form 100,
Army of the United States Separation Qualification Record and WG AGO
Form 53-98, Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service
Notification of Discharge.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s military personnel records were destroyed in the 1973
fire at the National Personnel Records Center. His available
records reflect he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army
Air Corps on 24 May 1943, and was released from active duty on
5 November 1945.
He served as a pilot of a B-24 type aircraft and flew two combat
missions over enemy occupied Europe. He was shot down over Germany
in December 1943, taken prisoner and held as a POW until his release
by Russian advance in May 1945. He served in the Air Force Reserves
and was honorably discharged on 3 October 1955.
His report of separation reflects award of the European-African-
Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the American Defense Service
Medal and the American Theater Service Ribbon.
On 26 August 2005, the applicant’s records were administratively
corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart Medal, the Prisoner
of War Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the award of the Air Medal
stating it is awarded to any person who, while serving in any
capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, subsequent to
8 September 1939, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or
meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight.
Required achievement is less than that required for the
Distinguished Flying Cross, but must be accomplished with
distinction above and beyond that expected of professional airmen.
The applicant was never recommended for award of the AM.
His records reflect two missions of flights performed in direct
support of the European-African-Middle-Eastern Theater. There is no
documentation in the applicant’s records to substantiate his claim
to the AM and he has not provided any documentation.
The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on
12 Aug 05, for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date,
this office has received no response.
_________________________________________________________________
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 an injustice. After a thorough review of the
applicant’s submission, it is our opinion that corrective action is
warranted in this case. In this respect, we note that the
applicant’s WD AGO Form 100, Army Separation Qualification Record
indicates he was recommended for award of the AM and the award was
pending. The Board also notes Army Air Corps policy authorized
award of the AM to combat crews killed in action and to POWs who had
never received them. In view of the foregoing, it is our opinion
that any doubt concerning the applicant’s entitlement to the AM
Medal should be resolved in his favor. Accordingly, we recommend
that his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.
_______________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 6 November 1945,
he was awarded the Air Medal, for completion of 2 combat missions,
while performing duties in the European Theater of Operations as a
Pilot B-24 aircraft during the period 6 August 1943 through 30
December 1943.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2005-
02187 in Executive Session on 13 October 2005, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
Ms. Dorothy P. Loeb, Member
Ms. Jan Mulligan, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 Jul 05, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 Aug 05.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Sep 05.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
AFBCMR BC-2005-02187
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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that on 6
November 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, for completion of 2
combat missions, while performing duties in the European Theater of
Operations as a Pilot B-24 aircraft during the period 6 August 1943
through 30 December 1943.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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