RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03788
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show the award of the Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He qualified for award of the medal several times through
completion of his 15th, 35th and 40th missions and for participation
in the special Iwo Jima mission.
He believes the problem may lie in lost records, rules changes,
transfer of records from the Army to the Air Force, or possibly
the fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973.
In support of the appeal, the applicant provides a personal
statement and copies of a 2003 letter to his representative,
newspaper clippings, photos, a 7th Air Force public relations
statement describing their part in the battle for Iwo Jima,
several excerpts from what appears to be a personal diary and
flight logs, copy of his WG AGO 100, Enlisted Record and Report of
Separation, special orders relating to decorations awarded to
members of the 7th Air Force, and a Congressional inquiry with a
letter of support attached.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant served on active duty from 27 Feb 43 to 20 Oct 45,
with approximately 10 months of that time in the Asian-Pacific
Theater of operations where he received the Air Medal with six Oak
Leaf Clusters (AM w/6 OLCs). Evidence of record indicates the
applicant participated in 40 combat missions in the central
pacific as a turret gunner on a B-24 bomber. He was honorably
discharged on 20 Oct 45.
The DFC may be awarded to any person who, after 16 Apr 17, while
serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces,
distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement
while participating in aerial flight. The heroism or achievement
must be entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not
routine.
Additional information with regard to the award criteria for the
DFC is contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office
of the Air Force at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicants request for award of
the DFC noting his several attempts over the years to establish
his entitlement to the award; however, each request yielded no
official documentation verifying his entitlement to the DFC. A
signed recommendation from someone within the applicants chain of
command who has firsthand knowledge of the incident, a proposed
citation, chain of command endorsements, or eye witness statements
were not provided.
AFPC/DPSIDR was able to determine the applicants eligibility for
award of the American Campaign Medal (ACM) and the World War II
Victory Medal (WWIIVM). His records will be changed to reflect
the award of these medals.
DPSIDRs complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant
on 25 Jan 12 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this
date, no response has been received by this office (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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice. We note the comments of the
Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) indicating that
the applicant has applied for the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
many times over the years and has thus far been denied for lack of
evidence supporting his contention that he is entitled to the
award. That said, we are of the opinion the evidence provided by
the applicant and additional evidence made available through
independent research is sufficient for us to make a decision in
his favor. Whether awarded for the number of combat missions or
for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial
flight, in our view the applicant has met the requirements of
either. Therefore, in view of the foregoing, the Board believes
any doubt concerning the applicants entitlement to the DFC should
be resolved in his favor. We note the Air Force OPR has confirmed
the applicant is entitled to award of the American Campaign Medal
(ACM) and World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM) and his records will
be corrected administratively. Accordingly, the Board recommends
that 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 22 August
1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for
extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as
a ball turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator at, or near, the Marianas
Islands from 17 May 1944 to 14 March 1945.
______________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number
BC-2011-03788 in Executive Session on 24 April 2012, 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 A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Oct 11, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 16 Dec 11.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Jan 12.
Panel Chair
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