RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01767 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He earned the DFC by virtue of the 60 combat missions he flew in 
a B-25 bomber and perhaps was overlooked for the DFC. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides documents 
extracted from his military personnel records and congressional 
documentation. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant's military personnel records were destroyed by fire 
in 1973 at the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC) in St. 
Louis, Missouri. The available records provided by the applicant 
indicate the following. 

 

The applicant a former member of the Army Air Corps who entered 
active duty on 31 July 1942 served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre 
from 28 June 1943 to 2 December 1944 as a Radio Operator Mechanic 
Gunner. He completed a total of 60 combat missions, totaling 252 
hours. He participated in the Northern Solomons, Bismark 
Archipelago, New Guinea, and Philippine Islands campaigns. His 
Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, issued in conjunction 
with his 14 July 1945 release from active duty, reflects he was 
awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and Air Medal with 
9 Oak Leaf Clusters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

On 14 July 1945, the applicant was honorably discharged in the 
grade of technical sergeant under the provisions of AR 615-365 
Convenience of the Government, RR 1-1 (Demobilization). He 
served 1 year 4 months and 27 days of continental service and 
1 year 6 months and 17 days of foreign service. 

 

The DFC was established by Congress on 2 July 1926 and is awarded 
to any officer or enlisted person of the Armed Forces of the 
United States who shall have distinguished her/himself in actual 
combat in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary 
achievement while participating in an aerial flight. 

 

During the period in question, the 13th Air Force had an 
established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion 
of 500 combat hours; destruction of the 2nd or 5th enemy aircraft 
(any type aircraft), or destruction of an enemy vessel (Bomber). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states they were able to 
verify the applicant’s entitlement to the American Campaign Medal 
(ACM) and the World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM). His record 
will be updated by the appropriate office. 

 

Under the Fiscal Year 1996 National Defense Authorization Act 
(NDAA), Section 526, which was enacted into law on 10 February 
1996, the original or reconstructed written award recommendation 
is required for the recommended individual. The recommendation 
must be made by someone, other than the member himself, 
preferably the commander or supervisor at the time of the act of 
achievement, with firsthand knowledge of the member’s 
accomplishments. If someone has firsthand knowledge of the 
applicant’s accomplishments and achievements, he may act as the 
recommending official. The recommendation must include the name 
of the decoration (i.e. DFC), reason for recognition (heroism, 
achievement, or meritorious service), inclusive dates of the act, 
and a narrative description of the act. The recommending 
official must sign the recommendation. Also, a proposed citation 
is required and any chain of command endorsements are encouraged. 
Any statements from fellow comrades, eyewitness statements 
attesting to the act, sworn affidavits, and other documentation 
substantiating the recommendation should be included with the 
package. 

 

In accordance with the 1996 NDAA Rules, a recommendation made by 
someone with firsthand knowledge within the applicant’s chain of 
command, certified eyewitness statement(s), and a proposed 
citation have not been provided or located within the applicant’s 
official military records. Furthermore, the applicant cannot 
recommend himself for entitlement to the DFC. 

 


 

The DPSIDRA complete evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit 
B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The senior vice commander of the American Legion Post #374 on 
behalf of the applicant states that the applicant flew 
60 missions. During one of the missions, he was shot down and 
the applicant’s father received a letter stating he was missing 
in action in Japan. While overseas he helped save the lives of 
U.S. soldiers and those from other countries. 

 

The complete response, with attachments, is at 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 an error or injustice. The 
applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, after reviewing 
the evidence of record and the supporting statement 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 the applicant has not provided evidence showing his 
entitlement to the DFC. The Board would like to point out that 
the requirements for award of the DFC in accordance with the 1996 
NDAA Rules include a recommendation made by someone with 
firsthand knowledge within the applicant’s chain of command, 
certified eyewitness statement(s), and a proposed citation. The 
personal sacrifice he endured for our country is noted; however, 
insufficient evidence has been presented to warrant corrective 
action. Therefore, other than the administrative corrections 
(ACM and the WWIIVM) to his records, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the additional relief sought. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2010-01767 in Executive Session on 10 February 2011, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 

Number BC-2010-01767 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 April 2010, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 14 July 2010, w/atch. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 July 2010. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 10 August 2010, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair