RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03392 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: YES 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was promised and received the Air Medal, one oak leaf cluster, 
after completing 750 flying hours. He was promised the DFC after 
completing 500 flying hours; however, he did not receive it. He 
had 59 round trips (approximately 600 hours) flying over the 
“Hump.” Other members of the Hump Pilot Association have 
received the DFC as promised. After being injured in 
September 1945, he did not return to his living quarters or have 
an opportunity to talk with his commanding officer (CO). He does 
not know why he was missed for the medal. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of a 
personal letter, his Honorable Discharge Certificate, A.G.O. Form 
53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation – Honorable; and 
special order Number 201, Awards of the Distinguished Flying 
Cross. 

 

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. 

 

On 1 August 1943, the applicant enlisted in Army Air Corps and 
served as a Radio Operator. On 15 February 1946, he was honorably 
discharged after completing two years and seven months of total 
active duty. His Enlisted Record and Report of Separation 
document reflects he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, and Air 
Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the European-African-Middle 


Eastern Campaign Medal, with two Bronze Stars and the Victory 
Medal. 

 

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. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states the applicant has 
not submitted sufficient documentation for award of the DFC. 

 

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. In addition, 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. 

 

The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 17 December 2010, 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 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. 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 the rationale expressed 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 that a recommendation be made by someone 
with firsthand knowledge within the applicant’s chain of command, 
certified eyewitness statement(s), and a proposed citation. The 
personal sacrifice the applicant endured for our country is 
noted; however, insufficient evidence has been presented to 
warrant corrective action. Therefore, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the relief sought. 

 

4. The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 
will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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-2010-03392 in Executive Session on 21 June 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-03392 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 Sep 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 1 Dec 10. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Dec 10. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair