RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-00449
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE: 19 JUNE 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre
with Palm, the Belgium Fourragere, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was a World War II P-47 fighter pilot (9th Air Force) in Europe.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant’s military personnel records were destroyed by fire in the
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973. The following
information is extracted from partially reconstructed records. He entered
active duty as a commissioned officer in the Army of the United States, Air
Corps on 5 December 1943. He performed duties as a Fighter Pilot and
served an overseas tour in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) from
8 April 1944 to 19 June 1945.
His separation certificate lists participation in battles and campaigns in
the Air Offensive Europe, Normandy, Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern
France, and Rhineland. He was separated in the grade of first lieutenant
on 5 December 1945. He was credited with 9 months and 12 days of
continental service, and 1 year, 2 months and 19 days of Foreign Service.
On 17 May 2006, DPPPRSP provided the applicant with detailed information
and instructions concerning his request, and advised him that he was
entitled to the following awards: World War II Victory Medal and the
American Campaign Medal. The letter with attachments is at Exhibit E.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request. DPPPR states
the NPRC was able to reconstruct a part of his military record; however,
the complete record which may contain the documentation needed for the
aforementioned awards was not found. DPPRS concludes they were unable to
determine his entitlement to the aforementioned decorations.
DPPPR’s evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
In his undated response, the applicant states he had already received the
DFC shortly after WWII. He states the award has never been entered into
his records. He requests the citations for the above cited awards (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 an injustice. Although the applicant’s entitlement to the
requested awards could not be verified though his official records, the Air
Force office of primary responsibility has reviewed documentation provided
by the applicant, including a citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross
and information taken from the internet. Based on their review, they
recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to show he was awarded the
DFC, the French Croix Guerre, and the Belgium Fourragere (Exhibit G).
Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated
below.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating
to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 5 December 1945, he was awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, and
the Belgium Fourragere while participating as a member of the 9th Air
Force, 404th Fighter Group.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive
Session on 28 June 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Michael J. Novel, Panel Chair
Mr. Grover L. Dunn, Member
Mr. John E. B. Smith, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-2006-00343
in:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Feb 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 1 Mar 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 May 06.
Exhibit E. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRSP, dated 17 Mar 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit F. Applicant’s Rebuttal, undated, w/atchs.
Exhibit G. E-Mail Message, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA, dated 20 Jul 06.
MICHAEL J. NOVEL
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2006-00449
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 APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 5 December 1945, he was
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Croix due Guerre with
Palm, and the Belgium Fourragere while participating as a member of the
9th Air Force, 404th Fighter Group.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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