AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 
DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-01728 
COUNSEL: NONE 
HEARING DESIRED: NO 

IN THE MATTER OF: 
   
   
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 
 
He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).  
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 
 
He completed 35 combat missions but was not properly awarded the 
DFC.    It  was  normal  to  be  awarded  the  DFC  after  completing 
35 combat missions with the 94th Bomb Group (BG).  His missions 
were  extremely  hazardous  and  his  B-17  was  always  riddled  with 
20 millimeter  and  anti-aircraft  artillery  damage.    He  attended 
numerous  group  reunions  and  his  friends  were  always  amazed  he 
had not received the DFC.   
 
In  support  of  his  request,  the  applicant  provides  personal 
statements  from  his  former  squadron  and  group  operations 
officers,  copies  of  a  reassignment  of  combat  crew  personnel 
memorandum, and his Air Medal citations.   
 
The  applicant's  complete  submission,  with  attachments,  is  at 
Exhibit A. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
STATEMENT OF FACTS: 
 
The applicant served on active duty from 7 Jan 44 to 28 Feb 74.  
 
The applicant submitted his initial request in Sep 96 through a 
Congressional  Inquiry.    On  16  Dec  96,  AFPC/DPPPRA  notified  the 
applicant  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Air  Force  Personnel  Council 
(SAFPC) Decoration Review Board (SAF/MRBP) disapproval decision.  
He  was  advised  that  unless  he  could  provide  additional 
justification  to  substantiate  his  request,  SAFPC  would  not 
reconsider his case.   
 
The  applicant  has  made  several  requests  for  consideration  for 
award of the DFC in lieu of the Air Medal (AM) with one silver 
oak  leaf  cluster  (AM  w/1SOLC).    He  has  exhausted  his 
administrative  avenues  in  accordance  with  Title  10,  U.S.C., 
section 1130, through the SAFPC Decorations Board. 

 
The  DFC  is  awarded  for  extraordinary  achievement  while 
participating  in  aerial  flight.    The  performance  of  the  act  of 
heroism  must  be  evidenced  by  voluntary  action  above  and  beyond 
the  call  of  duty.    The  extraordinary  achievement  must  have 
resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as 
to clearly set the individual apart from comrades or from other 
persons  in  similar  circumstances.    Awards  will  be  made  only  to 
recognize  single  acts  of  heroism  or  extraordinary  achievement 
and  will  not  be  made  in  recognition  of  sustained  operational 
activities against an armed enemy.   
 
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained  in  the  letter  prepared  by  the  appropriate  office  of 
the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C  
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial.  DPSIDR states the Board needs to 
consider the merits of the applicant’s request for award of the 
DFC  in  lieu  of  the  AM  w/1SOLC.    SAFPC  Decorations  Board 
disapproved  the  applicant’s  request  and  requested  additional 
justification in order to reconsider his request.  However, the 
applicant  has  not  provided  any  new  evidence  to  SAFPC  for 
consideration. 
 
DPSIDR  states  in  order  for  SAF/MRBP  to  reasonably  consider  a 
recommendation  for  a  decoration,  it  must  have  the  following 
documentation:   
 
  1)  A  recommendation  in  writing  by  someone  (preferably  within 
the  chain  of  command)  who  has  first-hand  knowledge  of  the  acts 
or achievements on which the recommendation is based.  
 
  2) A proposed citation.   
 
Neither of which were provided.  The applicant’s request for the 
DFC  is  for  sustained  operational  activities  and  does  not  meet 
the eligibility criteria for award of the DFC.   
 
The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
By letter dated 17 Jun 12, the applicant states he was 22 years 
old  when  he  piloted  a  B-17  during  combat  with  the  94th  Bomb 
Group,  8th  Air  Force.    The  applicant  states  that  World  War  II 

 

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veterans are dying at a rate of 100 daily; therefore, its hard 
for him to obtain support beyond what he has already provided.   
 
The applicant’s response, with attachments are at Exhibit E.  
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
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,  as  pointed  out  by  DPSIDR,  the  applicant’s 
request  for  the  DFC  for  sustained  operational  activities  does 
not meet the eligibility criteria for award of the DFC.  While 
we note the applicant’s contentions and his honorable service to 
our Nation; we do not find the evidence provided in support of 
his  request  sufficient  to  recommend  granting  his  request.  
Therefore,  in  the  absence  of  persuasive  evidence  to  the 
contrary,  we  find  no  basis  to  recommend  granting  the  relief 
sought in this application.  
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 
 
The  applicant  be  notified  that  the  evidence  presented  did  not 
demonstrate  the  existence  of  material  error  or  injustice;  that 
the  application  was  denied  without  a  personal  appearance;  and 
that  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  Docket  Number    
BC-2012-01728  in  Executive  Session  on  29  Nov  12,  under  the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 
 
 
Panel Chair 
 
Member 
Member 
 
 
 
 

  
  
  

 
 
 

 

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The  following  documentary  evidence  pertaining  to  AFBCMR  Docket 
Number BC-2012-01728 was considered: 
 
    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Apr 12, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 17 May 12, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Jun 12. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 17 Jun 12, w/atch. 

 
Panel Chair 

 
 

  
  

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

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