RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02188
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE: 27 JANUARY 2008
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was awarded additional Air Medals.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Air Medals are awarded for every 100 hours of combat time and he has 458
hours. He was awarded one Air Medal and was told that he could not receive
the three oak leaf clusters unless he provided documentary proof of
entitlement to the awards. He is 92 years old and would like to set his
record straight for those who come after him. He does not have the
documents but would appreciate any information. He received a commendation
and a medal from General Hap Arnold, however there is no record of the
award.
In support of his application, the applicant submits his personal
statement, a copy of an award certificate and a copy of a special order.
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 1973.
Therefore, the facts surrounding his Air Force military service cannot be
verified. The following is the only known information concerning the
applicant’s service and was extracted from his separation document.
The applicant was inducted and entered active service into the Army of the
United States Air Corps on 17 June 1942 at the age of 28. Following his
successful completion of training, he performed duties as a Airplane
Mechanic Gunner. He participated in the China Defensive India-Burma
battles and campaigns. He was awarded the Air Medal (AM), the Good Conduct
Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/2 BSS, the American Campaign
Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross
(DFC) w/1 OLC. He was credited with 2 years, 3 months and 11 days of
active duty service, of which 1 year and 10 days were Foreign Service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request. On 14 August
1943, General Henry “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award
the AM based solely on the number of combat flight missions completed
because he believed this so-called “score card” basis lessened the value of
the AM and created a negative morale factor. DPPPPR states the applicant
was awarded the DFC w/1OLC and the AM during the period in question. There
are no other official documents in the applicant’s official military
records to help verify his entitlement to additional AMs. DPPPR opines the
applicant was appropriately recognized for his outstanding military service
in the Pacific Theater.
The complete DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant provided a photocopy of the Air Force Exceptional civilian
award. In his undated response, he states in regards to the photocopy
there were no civilians in the operation. He was a Staff Sergeant and all
the pilot officers were Air Force. He does not know why the word
“civilian” is on it (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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice. We note the memorandum decreed by General
“Hap Arnold” in regard to the routine awarding of the Air Medal; therefore,
we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of
primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our
conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or
injustice. While we appreciate and honor the applicant’s service to his
country, in view of the above and absent persuasive evidence to the
contrary, we have no basis on which to favorably consider this request.
However, if the applicant was to provide a copy of a report with his flying
hours prior to 14 August 1943, we would be willing to reconsider his
request for combat hours flown during that time.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate
the existence of probable 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 not considered with this application.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR BC-2006-02188 in
Executive Session on 31 October 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Martha J. Evans, Panel Chair
Ms. Jan Mulligan, Panel Member
Mr. Wallace F. Beard Jr., Panel Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 Jul 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR dated 1 Aug 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Sep 06.
Exhibit E. Applicant’s Rebuttal, undated, w/atchs.
MARTHA J. EVANS
Panel Chair
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