RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-03581
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NOT INDICATED
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 26 MAY 08
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was an aircrew member in a plane that crashed during World War II
and recently found out that all members of the crew received the DFC
with the exception of himself. He believes he should have been
awarded the DFC if the rest of the crew was awarded the medal.
In support of his request, applicant submits a personal statement, and
excerpts from his military personnel record.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s military personnel records reflect he enlisted in the Army
Air Corps on 5 May 1941. He was the gunner of a B-25 aircrew that was
shot down over the Pacific on 20 July 1943. The crew was rescued on
21 July 1943 and returned to home base. The applicant was taken to
Tulagi Island Navy Hospital on 22 July 1943. He was released from
active duty on 2 May 1957 and served a total of 10 years, 4 months and
8 days active duty service.
His report of separation reflects award of the Occupational Medal of
Japan, the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
Ribbon w/4 Bronze Stars, the Air Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster (AM
w/1 OLC).
In 1996, the applicant submitted a request for the DFC through his
congressman. He was informed by AFPC/DPPPRS they were unable to
determine his entitlement to the award and his records did not contain
a recommendation or orders indicating he was awarded the DFC. He was
also sent the requirements for applying for Air Force decoration.
On 4 December 2006, AFPC/DPPRS reviewed his military personnel records
and determined he was eligible for the Purple Heart (PH).
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial. DPPPR states a congressional inquiry
located in the applicant’s official record verifies he was sent the
requirements for applying for Air Force decorations in 1996. He did
not provide any additional documentation to help verify his
entitlement to the DFC. DPPPRA was able to verify his entitlement to
the Purple Heart (PH).
The DFC is awarded to any officer or enlisted man of the Armed Forces
who shall have distinguished himself in actual combat in support of
operations by “heroism or extraordinary achievement while
participating in an aerial flight. They are unable to locate official
documentation to verify his entitlement to the DFC.
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on
15 Dec 06, for review and comment within 30 days. 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice. In regard to the applicant’s
request for the PH, we note AFPC/DPPPRA determined his eligibility for
the PH and his records will be administratively corrected to reflect
that award. After a thorough review of the applicant’s submission and
the available evidence of record, we are not persuaded the applicant
should be awarded the DFC. We took notice of the complete submission
in judging the merits of the case; however, 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 an injustice. 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-2006-
03581 in Executive Session on 6 February 2007, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. James W. Russell, Panel Chair
Mr. Jeffery R. Shelton, Member
Ms. Dee R. Reardon, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 1 Nov 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Available Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 4 Dec 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Dec 06.
JAMES W. RUSSELL III
Panel Chair
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