ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02470
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: DR. LEE ASTON
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and an additional oak leaf
cluster to the Air Medal.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
In view of his completion of a total of 30 combat missions and based on the
Eighth Air Force established policy of awarding an AM upon the completion
of every 5 heavy bomber missions and awarding a DFC upon the completion of
a combat tour, i.e., 30 missions for lead crews, he should be awarded the
DFC and an additional AM. He cites previous AFBCMR cases in which
similarly situated applicants were provided favorable consideration.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a statement from the former
67th Bombardment Squadron Deputy Navigator recommending him for award of
the DFC and an additional oak leaf cluster to the AM, and extracts from his
flight records.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit F.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 3 November 2005, the Board considered his applicant and found
insufficient evidence to warrant favorable consideration. For an
accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s
separation, and the rationale of the earlier decision by the Board, see the
Record of Proceedings at Exhibit E.
On 15 February 2007, the applicant submitted a request for reconsideration.
The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit F.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of probable error or injustice warranting award of the DFC and an
additional oak leaf cluster to the AM. In this respect, we note the
applicant completed a total of 30 combat missions while assigned to the
Eighth Air Force as a B-24 aerial gunner. We also note that during the
contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC
was awarded upon the completion of a combat tour of duty. In addition, an
AM was awarded upon the completion of every 5 heavy bombardment missions.
Although the applicant received a total of 5 AMs for his completion of his
first 25 missions, we find no evidence he received an additional AM for his
last 5 missions and a DFC for his completion of a combat tour. In support
of the appeal, the applicant has provided a recommendation from the former
67th Deputy Squadron Navigator. In view of the above, and given the total
number of missions the applicant completed, we believe he should be awarded
the DFC and an additional oak leaf cluster to the AM. Therefore, we
recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating
to APPLICANT be corrected to show that:
a. On 9 December 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak
Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a B-24 aerial
gunner on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
c. On 10 December 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a B-24 aerial gunner
on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2005-02470
in Executive Session on 24 July 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
Ms. Sue A. Lumpkins, Member
Mr. James L. Sommer, Member
All members voted to award an additional oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal.
By a majority vote, the Board voted to award the DFC. Mr. Peterson
recommended denial of the request to award the DFC but does not wish to
submit a Minority Report. The following documentary evidence was
considered:
Exhibit E. Record of Proceedings, dated 15 Nov 05, w/atchs.
Exhibit F. Letter, Counsel, dated 15 Feb 07, w/atchs.
RICHARD A. PETERSON
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2005-02470
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 XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, be corrected to show:
a. On 9 December 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak
Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a B-24 aerial
gunner on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
c. On 10 December 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a B-24 aerial gunner
on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02179
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02179 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 12 Jan 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and two additional oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal (AM). In addition, based on the Eighth Air Force policy...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02299
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02299 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 2 Jan 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded an additional oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and two additional oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal (AM). ...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-00510
He was never awarded an additional AM for his 26th through 30th combat missions In support of the appeal, applicant submits a statement from the former 67th Deputy Squadron Navigator recommending him for award of the DFC and an additional oak leaf cluster to the AM, and a list of his combat missions. The DFC was established by Congress on 2 July 1926 and is awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. ...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | bc-2004-02294
During the period in question, he was told by a major at base headquarters that upon returning stateside, he would receive the DFC for his completion of a tour of 32 combat missions and an oak leaf cluster to the DFC for his completion of 14 lead missions. Under the revised policy, the DFC could be awarded for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. In view of this statement, and given the total number of missions the applicant...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-01548
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-01548 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 13 November 2008 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded two oak leaf clusters to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and three additional oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal (AM). In view of the above,...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | bc-2004-00787
Under the revised policy, the DFC could be awarded for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight (Exhibit C). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Counsel for applicant states, among other things, that the requested relief should be favorably considered based on the recommendation of the applicant’s former commanding officer and in view of the established...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02052
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02052 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded two additional oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross and an additional oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal. In 1946, General “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award the AM...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2004-03794
In BC-2004-02294, the AFBCMR awarded a DFC to an applicant who had also completed more than the required ten missions as a lead navigator and an additional oak leaf cluster for completion of a tour of 32 combat missions. AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that although the applicant’s records indicate that he completed a total of 35 combat missions and he has submitted a DFC recommendation signed by his former commander, in 1946, General “Hap” Arnold ordered theater commanders not to award the AM...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-00453
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-00453 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 12 August 2008 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak Leaf Cluster (DFC, 1 OLC) and the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster (AM, 5 OLC). The DFC was established...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02073
The SAFPC evaluation is at Exhibit F. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Counsel states, among other things, that but for the applicant’s actions on 5 June 1944, the mission’s command pilot would have been in severe shock and unconscious in a matter of minutes and incapable of the aircraft flight maneuvers for which he was later awarded the Medal of Honor. Based on the established 8th Air Force policy of...