RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00493
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His deceased fathers records be corrected to reflect he was
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Through his Congressman, the applicant submitted a request for
award of the DFC for his deceased father.
He states that his mother submitted a request for the DFC for his
father on 31 Aug 00; however, it was sent to the wrong address
and not on the correct form.
His father was informed that he was recommended for the DFC and
that his records were reproduced and forwarded to Headquarters
Fifth Air Force for processing. After several years of no
action, he submitted a follow-up request. He died in 1998,
before the follow-up action was finished.
In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his
fathers Death Certificate, DD Forms 214, Armed Forces of the
United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, a letter from the
former members wife to the National Personnel Records Center
(NPRC), a letter from the member to HQ USAF Military Personnel
Center, a Resume of Combat Tour, Flight Records, a log of planes
missing in action, and documents from his Congressmans office.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The member served on active duty as a Reserve officer from 31 Oct
42 to 30 Nov 57, when he was honorably released from extended
active duty. He served 15 years, 11 months, and 23 days on
active duty.
On 14 Jan 58, the member entered active duty in the Regular Air
Force and served until 31 Jan 62, when he was relieved from
active duty and assigned to the Retired Reserve Section and
placed on the United States Air Force Reserve Retired List
effective 1 Feb 62, after serving a total of 20 years and 10 days
of active military service.
Located in the members records was an unsigned recommendation
for the DFC, dated 20 Aug 44, for the members heroism in action
on a strike against Peleliu Airdrome, Palau Islands, on 11 Jun
44. He was a Navigator of a B-24J type aircraft, one of a seven
plane formation on a strike mission against Peleliu Airdrome
Also located in the members records was an approved Air Medal
with fourth Oak Leaf Cluster (AM w/4th OLC) for the same aerial
flight over the Palau Islands on 11 Jun 44.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that to approve
entitlement for the DFC would be considered dual recognition, as
the AM 4th OLC was approved and awarded for the same inclusive
date and for the same action as the DFC recommendation.
DPSIDR located an original recommendation for the DFC dated
20 Aug 44, for the members actions on 11 Jun 44, in his official
military record; however, it appears the members recommendation
for entitlement to the DFC was downgraded to the AM w/4th OLC.
According to General Order 166, and the accomplished citation,
the member was approved for the AM w/4th OLC for his actions on
11 Jun 44, the same inclusive period as the DFC recommendation.
The DFC may be awarded to any persons who, after 6 Apr 17, while
serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces,
distinguishes themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement
while participating in aerial flight.
The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 23 Apr 10, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to
the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a
response has not been received (Exhibit D).
_________________________________________________________________
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. We took notice
of the applicant's 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 injustice. We note the member
was awarded the AM 4th OLC for his actions on 11 Jun 44, and to
approve the DFC for the same period would be considered dual
recognition. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the
contrary, we find no 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-2010-00493 in Executive Session on 7 July 2010, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 29 Jan 10, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicants Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 24 Mar 10.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Apr 10.
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-04486
and his affidavit, the letter she received from General H., the accounts of this mission by W.S., who flew out of Takhli that day, the affidavit of her father's best friend, the letters from MGen M., and her recollections as a child (her birth certificate verifies kinship, Exhibit N), it is apparent that her father died while trying to save the life of his wingman, Capt B. The applicant provided as evidence a personal affidavit. (Exhibit I) and her father's commander, Col. E.M. (Exhibits L...
AF | BCMR | CY2008 | BC-2007-02443
The applicant has not submitted any new evidence, and the Board does not find sufficiently persuasive evidence to override the decision made by the SAFPC. _________________________________________________________________ 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...
AF | BCMR | CY2009 | BC-2008-03533 (2)
His father was recommended for award of the DFC. The recommendation was reviewed by the chain of command as well as Congressional members at the time, and they did not support award of the DFC and instead awarded him a Letter of Commendation. ________________________________________________________________ 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...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-00078
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-00078 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES IN THE MATTER OF: _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. Addressing the applicant’s request to be awarded the AM 1/OLC, the applicant did not provide any documentation that supports this request. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board...
AF | BCMR | CY2009 | BC-2008-02450
Although the applicant’s reconstructed records do not contain a copy of a special order or recommendation for the DFC, the Board feels that the events which precipitated the CITATION OF OFFICER document furnished by the applicant rise to the level necessary for award of the DFC for heroism. 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 (DFC) for heroism while participating in...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00994
After a complete review of all three official military records they were able to confirm the two crewmembers received the DFC for a number of bombardment missions flown over Europe in June 1944, and the applicant receiving the Air Medal w/3 OLC in June 1944. He requested the DFC through his congressman’s office in June 1996 and was informed a written recommendation was required for award of the DFC. The Board also notes, the applicant received the Air Medal w/3 OLC during the time both...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 00299
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00299 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His father be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial indicating...
AF | BCMR | CY2008 | BC-2007-01625
In this regard, we note insufficient evidence was presented to show he was recommended for, or awarded, the DFC. ________________________________________________________________ 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...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 01991
NPRC records do not show he was awarded the Aerial Gunner Badge or the Aircrew Member Badge. However, he was awarded both since he completed training and served in a unit that completed combat missions. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. USAF/A3O-AIF recommends approval of the request for the Aircrew Member Badge.
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2006-02396
He agrees with the recommendation of the Air Force, if his citation does not verify his decision was beyond the call of duty neither the AM or DFC is appropriate (Exhibit E). Congressman Shimkus, in a letter dated 18 December 2006, offers his support in the applicant’s request for an upgrade of AM w/4 OLCs (Exhibit F). On 10 January 2007, the Board staff requested the applicant to provide clarification regarding his request for an upgrade of his AM w/OLCs (Exhibit G).