RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-00766
INDEX CODE: 111.01
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross (DFC), Purple Heart (PH) and Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 7 April 1944, during a bombing mission in Germany, another crew member
tried to release a bomb in the upper left part of the bomb bay with the
toggle switch, which was hung up on one of the shackles and swinging in the
bomb bays. He was told to try and kick the bomb loose. He successfully
released the bomb and injured his hand in the process. During a MRI a
piece of shrapnel was located in his head. His records were destroyed in a
fire in St. Louis. When he was on the board of the 8th Air Force
Historical Society and served as vice president and secretary, he heard of
another engineer and crew that received the DFC for the same thing he did
by getting rid of live bombs while returning from a mission and saved the
plane and crew.
In support of his request, the applicant provided a personal statement, a
copy of Standard Form 180, Requests Pertaining to Military Records, copies
of his flight record and letters.
His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant’s military personnel records were destroyed by fire in 1973.
Therefore, all the facts surrounding his request cannot be verified. Data
extracted from his reconstructed records reflects that he served in the
Army Air Corps between 28 October 1943 and 7 February 1945 and was
honorably separated in the grade of staff sergeant.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSOO recommends denial. DPSOO states the documentation provided by
the applicant could be considered an eyewitness statement from fellow
comrades. It does not meet the requirement of a recommendation for DFC and
no citation is included. The applicant was informed of the required
documentation that was needed to consider his request for an Air Force
decoration. DPSOO is unable to verify his entitlement to the PH. His hand
injury was caused by the release of the bombs during the catwalk. No
documentation was located or provided that verifies he was injured due to
direct enemy action. DPSOO is also unable to verify his assigned unit
(787TH Bomb Squadron) received the PUC during the period he was assigned.
Without the required official documentation, DPSOO recommends disapproval.
The complete DPSOO evaluation is at Exhibit B.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant responded discussing practice missions he was involved with.
His complete response is attached at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
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 an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the
available evidence and the applicant’s complete submission, 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 injustice. We are
not unmindful or unappreciative of his service to his Nation. Should he
secure supporting documentation, we would be willing to reconsider his
application. Accordingly, in the absence of persuasive evidence to the
contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend favorable consideration
of his application.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate
the existence of 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-
00766 in Executive Session on 14 August 2008 and 29 September 2008 under
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. B. J. White-Olson, Panel Chair
Ms. Janet I. Hassan, Member
Ms. Teri G. Spoutz, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 February 2008, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 20 June 2008.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 June 2008.
B. J. WHITE-OLSON
Panel Chair
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