RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02299
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NOT INDICATED
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 3 FEB 2008
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records and several other P-47 pilots be corrected to show award
of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) rather than the Air Medal (AM)
rendered for the period 5-16 September 1942.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The War Department General Order #12 dated 11 February 1944, awarded
the Air Medal (AM) to each of the pilots of the first flight of the P-
38’s, which flew across the North Atlantic from the United States to
the United Kingdom, between 5-16 September 1942, for subsequent combat
application. He believes the DFC should have been awarded to the P-47
pilots because the P-47 is a single engine aircraft and was most at
risk.
In support of his appeal, the applicant submits a copy of War
Department General Order #12, Criteria for the DFC, AFA Magazine
Excerpt, copy of DFC award, and excerpts from History of the 2nd
Ferrying Group.
The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit
A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The member was a former Army Air Corps Pilot who served with the 47th
Troop Carrier Squadron, 313th Troop Carrier Group. He was a p-38
pilot and flew across the North Atlantic from the United Sates to the
United Kingdom, between 5 and 16 September 1942, for combat
application. He was awarded the AM for this act. His report of
separation reflects award of the Air Medal, with 3OLCs, the Air Force
Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1BSS, the
Vietnam Service Medal with 6/BSS, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign
Medal with Device, World War Victory medal and the European African
Middle Eastern Service Medal. He served a total of 28 years and 11
months of active duty service.
The DFC was established by Congress on 2 July 1926 and is awarded for
heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial
flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by
voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. During World War
II, the Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was
awarded upon the completion of a tour of combat duty (25 heavy bomber
missions) and an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five
heavy bomber missions.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part,
that after a thorough review of the applicant’s military record, they
are unable to find evidence that the applicant was recommended for or
awarded the DFC. Also the applicant did not provide supporting
documentation to support his claim, such as a copy of a DFC
certificate, special order, or a decoration recommendation.
The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states in part the recommendation for the medal upgrade
to a DFC for the P-47 pilots was submitted by Lieutenant Colonel
____________in a letter dated 27 may 2005. He was a member in the
chain of command at the time of the incident and also had first hand
knowledge of the act. His letter was submitted through his
Congressman to SAF/LLI on 6 June 2005, but was never acknowledged nor
responded to.
The applicant’s complete response is at 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. After a thorough review of the
evidence presented and the available evidence of record, we are not
persuaded that award of the DFC is warranted. The Board acknowledges
the aerial accomplishments and personal sacrifices of the applicant
and the other P-47 pilots; however, we believe the Commanding General
acted within his authority and purview in determining the AM was the
most appropriate award for the aforementioned mission at that time,
rather than the DFC. Further, while we are not unmindful or
unappreciative of the applicant’s service to our Nation, we do believe
the Commanding General’s decision to award the AM was not an error or
injustice and therefore find no reason that the decision should be
disturbed. 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 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 Docket Number BC-20065-
02299 in Executive Session on 16 November 2006, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
Mr. James A. Wolffe, Member
Mr. James L. Sommer, Member
The following documentary evidence concerning Docket Number BC-2006-
02299 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Apr 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Member's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 5 May 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 May 06.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 31 Aug 06.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
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