RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02301
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE: 4 FEBRUARY 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross (DFC) and the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) awards.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His honorable discharge certificate indicates he was recommended for the
DFC and PUC. Through research, he discovered that his former crew
member/pilot was awarded the DFC. The DFC citation was written in the
plural which indicates that other crew members were also to be recognized
with the same award. His flight records indicate he was on the recognized
flight
In support of his request, the applicant submits his personal statement, a
copy of his discharge certificate, a copy of a letter from the National
Personnel Records Center (NPRC), a copy of his individual flight record, a
copy of the DFC citation, and correspondence to and from his congresswoman.
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.
The applicant was inducted into the Army on 12 Sep 42 and entered active
service on 15 Mar 43. He was assigned to duties in Italy from 29 Apr to 7
Nov 44. The applicant was honorably discharged on 21 Sep 45 in the grade
of Staff Sergeant. He participated in the European-African-Middle Eastern
Air Offensive of Europe, Normandy, Southern France, Romo-Arno, and
Rhineland battles and campaigns.
His discharge certificate indicates he was recommended for the
Distinguished Flying Cross per a letter from the 829th Bomb Sq, dated 13
Oct 44.
On 3 August 06, the applicant was notified of his entitlement to the PUC
(Exhibit E).
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the DFC.
DPPPR states World War II decoration submissions must meet two criteria:
1) be made by someone, other than the member himself, in the
member’s chain of command at the time of the incident, and, who has
firsthand knowledge of the acts of achievements ; and,
2) be submitted through a congressional member who can ask a
military service to review a proposal for a decoration based on the merits
of the proposal and the award criteria in existence when the event
occurred.
DPPPR concludes they were unable to locate official documentation from the
original recommending approval authority.
The complete 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 for
review and comment on 11 Aug 06. As of this date, this office has received
no response (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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request for
award of the DFC. It appears he was recommended for the DFC as indicated
on his honorable discharge certificate; however, he has not provided an
approved order awarding him the DFC. Should he secure a copy of an
approved order that lists him as a recipient of the DFC, we would be
willing to reconsider his application. While we appreciate and honor the
applicant’s service to his country, in view of the above and absent
persuasive evidence showing his records are in error or unjust concerning
additional recognition beyond that afforded by the Air Force office of
primary responsibility, the applicant’s request is not favorably
considered.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate
the existence of an error or injustice 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-2006-02301 in
Executive Session on 28 September 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. James W. Russell III, Panel Chair
Mr. Grover L. Dunn, Member
Mr. Alan A. Blomgren, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 27 May 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 3 Aug 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 3 Aug 06.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Aug 06.
JAMES W. RUSSELL III
Panel Chair
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