RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00903
COUNSEL:
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect award of the Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC) with First Oak Leaf Cluster (1 OLC).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He is entitled to the DFC with 1 OLC for his completion of over
10 lead crew combat missions, but due to an administrative error
it was never awarded. During World War II, it was the policy of
the Eighth Air Force to award the DFC for every 10 lead crew
missions flown and upon the completion of a tour of combat
missions. Although he received the DFC (basic) for his
completion of a combat tour of duty, he never received an oak
leaf cluster for his completion of 10 lead crew missions.
In support of his request, the applicants counsel provides
personal statements, a notarized power of attorney, a copy of
his DD Form 214, Military Record and Report of Separation,
Certificate of Service, a listing of flown missions, copies of
previous AFBCMR cases similar to his case, and a proposed
citation.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who
served in the European Theatre of Operations from 15 Apr 44 to
11 Aug 45, as a B-24, Liberator, pilot. He participated in the
Rhineland, Air Offensive Europe, and Ardennes Campaigns. His WD
AGO Form 53-96, Military Record and Report of Separation,
Certificate of Service, issued in conjunction with his 11 Aug 45
release from active duty, reflects he was awarded the DFC and
Air Medal (AM), with four OLCs.
The DFC was established by Congress on 2 Jul 26 and is awarded
for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be
evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty.
The AM is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement while
participating in aerial flight.
During World War II, the Eighth Air Force had an established
policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of tour of
combat duty, and an AM was awarded upon the completion of every
five heavy bomber missions. In 1942, the length of a tour was
the completion of 25 combat missions. In 1944, the tour length
was increased to 35 combat missions, and the number of combat
missions required for award of an additional AM was increased to
six. In 1943, the policy of awarding the DFC and AM based
solely on the number of missions completed was discontinued and
a narrative recommendation was required for all subsequent
decoration missions.
_________________________________________________________________
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. We note that
during the contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established
policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of a tour
of duty. In addition, the former commanding officer of the 44th
Bombardment Group has provided a sworn statement attesting to
the fact that a DFC was also awarded for a minimum of 10 lead or
deputy lead missions. The applicant has provided sufficient
documentation showing he had ten (10) lead combat missions while
assigned to Eighth Air Force as a B-24 Liberator pilot.
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 he was
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak Leaf Cluster,
for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Lead or Deputy
Lead Pilot on B-24 airplanes on ten (10) combat missions over
enemy occupied Continental Europe.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-
2009-00903 in Executive Session on 9 October 2009 and 19 January
2010, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit. DD Form 149, dated 28 Feb 09, w/atchs.
Panel Chair
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