AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
HEARING DESIRED: NO
DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-01694
COUNSEL: NONE
IN THE MATTER OF:
APPLICANT:
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His late father be recognized as an ACE Fighter Pilot for aerial
victories during World War II (WWII).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He wants this distinction to be included in his father’s memoirs
and service record.
In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of an
attestation/confirmation of aerial victories letter from the
decedent’s former commander, supporting documents and the
decedent’s birth and death certificates.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Documents in the decedent’s Military Personnel Record indicate
he served in the Air Force from 6 February 1943 to 31 May 1963,
and was credited with 20 years, 3 months and 25 days of active
federal service. He received three Bronze Service Stars, the
Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Gold
Clasp and 1 loop, American Campaign Medal, European-African-
Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service
Award w/4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Distinguished Unit
Citation. Information submitted by the applicant reflects the
decedent died on 1 June 1997.
________________________________________________________________
with
AFHRA
email
A3O-A1F
complete
evaluation,
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ USAF/A3O-A1F recommends denial. A3O-A1F states the decedent
received credit for two aerial victories on 2 April 1944, and
one aerial victory on 10 May 1944. The 37th Fighter Squadron
history for April 1944 also mentions the two aerial victories on
2 April 1944, for which two different orders were cut. These
three aerial victory credits are already officially listed for
the decedent, and are consistent with the documentation the Air
Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) has on record as aerial
victory sources of credit for the decedent. The AFHRA is the
keeper of the records for aerial victories.
The AFHRA states the applicant received credit for shooting down
three aircraft during his service in World War II. All three
kills came in 1944, two on 2 April and one on 10 May. With
three kills, the applicant would not be eligible for the
honorary designation as an “ace.” The term “ace” is an
unofficial honorary designation for an aviator who has scored
five kills. There is no award referred to as an “Ace Award.”
The
correspondence, is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 19 June 2012, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days
(Exhibit D). To date, this office has not received a response.
________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice. We took notice
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of
the case; however, the Board majority agrees with the opinion and
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility
and adopts its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the
former member has not been the victim of an error or injustice.
The personal sacrifice the former member endured for our country
is noted; however, insufficient evidence has been presented to
show that he be awarded credit for five kills. Therefore, in the
absence of evidence to the contrary, the Board majority finds no
basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.
________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD:
A majority of the Board finds insufficient evidence of error or
injustice and recommends the application be denied.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-
2012-01694 in Executive Session on 14 November 2012, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
By a majority vote, the Board recommended denial of the
application. Mr. Paul P. Barany voted to correct the record but
does not wish to submit a Minority Report. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149 w/atchs, dated 4 April 2012.
Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, USAF/ A3O-A1F, not dated.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 June 2012.
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
Panel Chair
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