RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-01577
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 27 NOVEMBER 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Medal of Valor
and the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal.
EXAMINER’S NOTE: On 15 August 2006, a DD Form 215 was issued adding
the POW Medal to the applicant’s record. Therefore the only remaining
issue before the Board is the award of the Medal of Valor.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He believes he should have been awarded a medal for heroism for saving
a crewmember’s life.
In support of his request, the applicant provided a buddy statement,
WD AGO 100, DD Form 214 and news articles.
Applicant's complete submission, with an attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 5 November 1942, the applicant enlisted in the Air Corps (AC) of
the Army of the United States (AUS).
The applicant’s records reflect he was awarded the Air Medal with six
Oak Leaf Cluster (AM w/6 OLCs), European African Middle Eastern
Campaign Medal (EAME), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one
Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/1 Br OLC), Air Force Good Conduct
Medal (AFGCM), Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR), National
Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star (NDSM w/1 BS), Air Force
Longevity Service Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFLSA w/4
Br OLC).
The applicant was honorably retired on 1 November 1966. He served 21
years, 2 months and 4 days of active service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends the applicant’s request be denied. DPPPR states
recommendations must be submitted as soon as possible following the
act, achievement, or service. Recommendations must be entered into
official channels within two years and awarded within three years of
the act, achievement, or service performed.
The applicant may pursue award for the Medal of Valor under the
provisions of the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which
was enacted into law on 10 February 1996. This act waived the
timeline for submitting decorations. The recommendation must be made
by someone, other than the member himself, preferably the commander or
supervisor at the time of the act or achievement, with firsthand
knowledge of the acts or achievements. The recommendation must
include the name of decoration, reason for the recognition, inclusive
dates of the act, and a narrative description of the act. The
recommending official must sign the recommendation. In addition a
proposed citation is required and any chain of command endorsements.
Also any statements from fellow comrades, eyewitness statements
attesting to the act, sworn affidavits, and other documentation
substantiating the recommendation should be included with the package.
A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Mr. J. P. B. submitted a letter dated 7 August 2006, attesting his
support for the applicant to be awarded the Medal of Valor (Exhibit
D).
A copy of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on
25 August 2006, for review and response within 30 days. As of this
date, no response has been received by this office.
_________________________________________________________________
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 error or an injustice. After a thorough review of the
applicant’s submission, it is our opinion that corrective action is
warranted in this case. The applicant has provided sufficient
evidence to show his heroic actions on 29 December 1944 were
instrumental in saving a fellow crewmember’s life. Therefore, in view
of the foregoing, it is our opinion that any doubt concerning the
applicant’s entitlement to the Airman’s Medal should be resolved in
the applicant’s 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 24 December 1944,
he was awarded the Airman’s Medal, for his heroic action of saving a
crewmember’s life.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2006-01577 in Executive Session on 17 October 2006, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Charlene M. Bradley, Panel Chair
Ms. LeLoy W. Cottrell, Member
Ms. Patricia R. Collins, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 May 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 6 Jun 06.
Exhibit D. Character Letter, dated 7 Aug 06.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Aug 06.
CHARLENE M. BRADLEY
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2006-01577
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 , be corrected to show that on 24 December 1944,
he was awarded the Airman’s Medal, for his heroic action of saving a
crewmember’s life.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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