RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04213 

 

 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His father be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

Although his father was recommended for the DFC, which was 
approved by the squadron through group levels, Fifth Air Force, 
did not act on the recommendation due to the war’s closure. 

 

During the period in question his father served in the Pacific 
theatre, as a P-38 pilot, and completed 117 combat missions; 
supporting operations from New Guinea, through the Philippines, 
and ultimately to Japan, totaling 323 combat hours. 

 

In support of the appeal, the applicant submits copies of his 
father WD AGO 53, Military Record and Report of 
Separation/Certificate of Service, and the DFC recommendation 
package. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The member served with the Army Air Corps from 8 February 1944 
to 7 January 1946, as a P-38 “Lightning” pilot. During the 
period 28 August 1944 to 25 October 1945, he was assigned to the 
Ninth Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force, and 
participated in the Air Offensive Japan, China Defensive, China 
Offensive, New Guinea, Western Pacific, South Philippines, and 
Luzon campaigns, completing a total of 323 combat hours. He was 
awarded the Air Medal, with three Oak Leaf Clusters. 

 

On 19 September 1945, the member was recommended for the DFC for 
extraordinary achievement in aerial flight from 1 September 1944 
to 5 August 1945. On 24 September 1945, the Group Commander 
approved the recommendation. On 2 October 1945, the Commander 


of the Headquarter V Fight Command approved the recommendation 
and forwarded to the Far East Air Force Commander. 

 

During the period in question, Fifth Air Force had an 
established policy of awarding a DFC upon the completion of 200 
combat operational hours. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial and states, in part, that 
although the applicant has provided a signed recommendation 
dated 19 September 1945, with a recommendation of approval, a 
proposed citation has not been provided. In addition, there is 
no official documentation verifying the DFC was officially-
approved nor do his military records include the DFC 
certificate, citation, or special orders. 

 

Under the Fiscal Year 1996 National Defense Authorization Act 
(FY 96 NDAA), Section 526, which was enacted into law on 
10 February 1996, the original or reconstructed written award 
recommendation signed by someone, other than the member himself, 
preferably the commander or supervisor at the time of the act of 
[sic] achievement, with firsthand knowledge of the member’s 
accomplishments and a proposed citation are required. Although 
the applicant provides signed recommendation, he provides no 
proposed citation or evidence the recommendation was approved. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

In a response submitted through his Congressman’s office, the 
applicant states the recommendation to award his father the DFC 
did meet the criteria established at the time, as indicated in 
the original recommendation. To the best of his knowledge, all 
members of his father’s chain of command are now deceased. 
Therefore, there is no way he can solicit substantive 
documentation concerning the original recommendation. 

 

In further support of the appeal, he provides a proposed 
citation. 

 

The applicant’s 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. In this 
respect, we note that during the period 28 August 1944 to 
25 October 1945, the applicant’s father was assigned to the 
Ninth Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force, as a 
P-38 “Lightning” pilot and participated in the Air Offensive 
Japan, China Defensive, China Offensive, New Guinea, Western 
Pacific, South Philippines, and Luzon campaigns, completing a 
total 323 of combat hours. He was recommended for award of the 
DFC for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight from 
1 September 1944 to 5 August 1945. On 24 September 1945, the 
Group Commander approved the recommendation and on 2 October 
1945, the Commander of the Headquarter V Fight Command approved 
the recommendation and forwarded it to the Far East Air Force 
Commander. However, we find no evidence as to the outcome of 
the recommendation. The applicant contends the recommendation 
was not acted upon at the war’s conclusion, as were all 
promotions and award/decoration recommendations, since the Fifth 
Air Force simply chose to put their focus on the mammoth 
occupation efforts. We also note that during the period in 
question, the Fifth Air Force had an established policy of 
awarding a DFC upon the completion of 200 combat operational 
hours. In view of this and noting the applicant completed a 
total of 323 combat operational hours, we recommend 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 APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he be 
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the period 
1 September 1944 to 5 August 1945, for extraordinary achievement 
during sustained aerial flights as a P-38 pilot in the Pacific 
theatre. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number in Executive Session on 12 April 2012, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 XXXXX, Panel Chair 

 XXXXX, Member 

 XXXXX, Member 


 

 

 

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered in BC-2011-04213: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Aug 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 15 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Jan 12. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 17 Jan 12, w/atch. 

 

 

 

 

 XXXXX 

 Panel Chair 

 


 

 

 

AFBCMR BC-2011-04213 

 

 

 

 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF 

 

 Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for 
Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States 
Code, it is directed that: 

 

 The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, 
be corrected to show that he be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the period 
1 September 1944 to 5 August 1945, for extraordinary achievement during sustained aerial 
flights as a P-38 pilot in the Pacific theatre. 

 


 Director 

 Air Force Review Boards Agency