RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-05942

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO
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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should receive the DFC for his participation in an aerial 
mission on 31 Dec 44.  He was shipped out before the award was 
presented.  Other members of his crew received the DFC for their 
participation in said mission.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his 
Discharge Certificate, a letter from his former crew member, DFC 
narrative for a fellow crew member, photographs, an article 
pertaining to the 31 Dec 44 mission, and an expanded statement.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant's military personnel records are unavailable.  He 
was asked to provide copies of any official military records in 
his possession for use in evaluating his case.  In response, the 
applicant provided a personal statement and excerpts of his 
military personnel records, which is at Exhibit B.

The documentation provided by the applicant reflects he served 
as a tail gunner during the period in question.  He was assigned 
to the 337th Bomb Squadron and on 8 Aug 45 was honorably 
discharged from the Army of the United States.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibit C and F.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

SAF/MRBP recommends denial noting the applicant did not provide 
supporting evidence such as his flight records, crew member 
logs, or DFC narrative or citation.  The documentation provided 
was not sufficient to support award of the DFC.

The DFC is awarded to any service member who, after 6 Apr 17, 
while serving with the Armed Forces, distinguished themselves by 
heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in 
aerial flight.

A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In response the applicant provides copies of his flight logs and 
flight records reflecting the number of missions he flew.  He 
also provided an eyewitness statement and photograph from a crew 
member who states the applicant flew 35 missions and 
participated in the aerial mission on 31 Dec 44.

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

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ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

SAF/MRBP recommends approval noting the flight records and 
eyewitness statement substantiates the applicant’s eligibility 
for the DFC.  The Eighth Air Force’s 3rd Bombardment Division 
criteria for the DFC as of 28 Nov 44 was the heroism must be 
evidenced by voluntary action in the face of great danger above 
and beyond the line of duty while participating in aerial 
flight; and the extraordinary achievement while participating in 
aerial flight must be evidenced by accomplishment so exceptional 
and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his 
comrades who have not been so recognized.

In addition, the “Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal 
Criteria in the Army Air Forces in World War II,” the Director 
of Personnel of the 3rd Bombardment Division, Eighth Air Force 
stated “The unusually small number of DFC’s awarded to the 96th 
Bombardment Group indicates that group has been very poor in 
their administration of awards.” In fact, “…six groups that 
became operational after the 96th, one as late as nine months 
after, all have been awarded more non-automatic DFC’s than the 
96th.”


A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit F.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 18 Mar 14, for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit G).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.

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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 an injustice.  The applicant 
contends he should be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross 
(DFC) for his participation in aerial mission over Hamburg, GE 
on 31 Dec 44.  He further contends he was shipped out after the 
mission and never received the DFC.  After a thorough review of 
the applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal 
response to the advisory opinion rendered in this case, we 
believe that a preponderance of the evidence supports award of 
the DFC.  In this respect, we note the applicant provided his 
personal flight logs and an eyewitness statement from his 
copilot attesting to the applicant’s participation in the 31 Dec 
44 aerial mission.  In view of the above, and in light of the 
affirmative recommendation of SAF/MRBP, we recommend that his 
records be corrected as 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 
31 Dec 44, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for 
extraordinary achievement, while serving as an aerial gunner in 
a B-17 bomber over Hamburg, Germany.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-05942 in Executive Session on 27 Mar 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	r, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 May 12, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Available Military Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBP, dated 30 Dec 13.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 7 Jan 14, w/atch.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 25 Jan 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBP, dated 18 Mar 14.
	Exhibit G.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 18 Mar 14, w/atch. 




                                   
                                   Panel Chair