RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-03546
INDEX CODE: 126.03
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: YES
________________________________________________________________
_
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
The XX Bombardment Groups Mission Report, for Mission Number
316, dated 16 Feb 45, to Langendreer and to Munster Railhead be
corrected to reflect that crew 7201 successfully bombed the
Munster Railhead.
________________________________________________________________
_
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The mission report does not reflect that his crew successfully
bombed the Munster Railhead. Although the two wingmen had been
able to return to England, there was nothing in the report
concerning bombing the secondary target. He would like to
insure that the record is corrected to show his crew did
successfully bomb the secondary target and that his crew be
recognized for their accomplishments.
In support of his request, applicant provided a personal
statement, a copy of a recommendation for award of the Medal of
Honor, Special Order GB-228, and a copy of his Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC) citation.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
_
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps, who
served on active duty from 17 Nov 42 to 31 Oct 45. He was held
as a POW from 16 Feb 45 through 29 Apr 45.
Department of the Air Force special order GB-228, dated 14 Apr
97 awarded the applicant and the four other surviving
crewmembers the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for their
extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight
on 16 Feb 45.
According to the citation for the award of the DFC, on 16 Feb
45, while serving as the Lead Crew Radio-Operator Gunner of a B-
17 Bomber, the applicant and his crew flew over the primary
target twice, with the enemy anti-aircraft fire over the primary
target. His plane and one wingman continued the flight to
Munster and successfully bombed the secondary target, Munster
Railhead. The aircraft sustained major damage and the six
surviving crew members bailed-out and were subsequently captured
and held as Prisoners-of-War (POWs) in Germany.
________________________________________________________________
_
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 17 Jun 08, the applicant was notified by SAF/MRBR, that his
request was forwarded to the Air Force Historical Research
Agency (AFRHA), Maxwell AFB, Alabama for a processing
determination. The AFHRA Archivist advised SAF/MRBR, that they
serve as a historical repository and maintain original documents
as written at the time of their creation. While they cannot
change the mission report, they are prepared to access his
inputs as part of their World War II, XX Bombardment Group
collection. This serves as an opportunity to document both the
official version and his understanding of that days event for
future researchers.
He was informed that in the event he would like to have his
application considered by the Air Force Board for Correction of
Military Correction Records (AFBCMR) as presented, to inform the
Board staff of his intentions.
A complete copy of the SAF/MRBR letter to the applicant, with
attachments, is at Exhibit B.
________________________________________________________________
_
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the SAF/MRBR letter was forwarded to the applicant on
17 Jun 08, for review and comment. 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 error or injustice to warrant
amending the XX Bombardment Groups 16 Feb 45 Mission Report for
Mission Number 316 (Synthetic Oil Place at Langendreer,
Germany), to reflect that crew number 7201 successfully bombed
the secondary target the railhead at Munster Germany. In this
respect, we note that in 1997, the applicant and the four other
surviving members of his crew were awarded the DFC for their
actions during the subject mission. The citation to accompany
the award of the DFC and the statements provided by the two
former members of his crew confirm the secondary target was
bombed. In view of this, we recommend the applicants records
be corrected to the extent indicated below.
4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel
will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s)
involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably
considered.
________________________________________________________________
_
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the 303rd
Bombardment Group Mission Report, dated 16 Feb 45, for Mission
Number 316 (Synthetic Oil Place at Langendreer, Germany), be
appended to reflect that crew number 7201, successfully bombed
the secondary target the railhead at Munster, Germany.
________________________________________________________________
_
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2007-03546 in Executive Session on 7 Oct 08, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. XXXXXXXXXXX, Panel Chair
Ms. XXXXXXXXXXXX, Member
Ms. XXXXXXXXXXXX, Member
All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered for AFBCMR Docket
BC-2007-03546:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 2 Oct 07, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jun 08, w/atch.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2007-03546
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 to
APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the XXXX Bombardment Group Mission
Report, dated 16 February 1945, for Mission Number 316 (Synthetic Oil Place at
Langendreer, Germany), be, and hereby is, appended to reflect that crew number 7201,
successfully bombed the secondary target the railhead at Munster, Germany.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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