RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04339
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His record be corrected to reflect he was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He should be awarded the DFC as a Lead Navigator after
completing 31 combat missions in a B-17 aircraft between June
1944 and February 1945. He had some problems with his squadron
commander. He felt the commander was bigoted towards him and
would not recommend him for this award. At the time, he was
only 20 years old and did not know how to handle the situation.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant is a former member of the Air Force. He began
serving as a navigator in April 1944. During this period of
service, he was awarded the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
and a Purple Heart.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The Distinguished Flying Cross is
awarded to any officer or enlisted person of the armed forces of
the United States who distinguished themselves in actual combat
in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement
while participating in aerial flight subsequent to 11 November
1918. After a thorough review of the applicants record, his
entitlement to the DFC could not be verified.
Retroactive recommendations for awards for retirees/veterans
beyond the 2 year time limitation may be submitted in accordance
with 10 U.S.C. 1130. The law allows for the submission of award
recommendations without regard to any previously imposed time
constraints, if referred by a Member of Congress. Under the
provisions of this law, requests must be referred to the
Secretary of the Air Force by a Member of Congress through the
Secretary of the Air Force Liaison Office. The burden and costs
for researching and assembling documentation to support award
recommendations rest with the requester. In order for a request
to be reasonably considered under the provisions of law, the
member must submit a reconstructed recommendation of the award,
a narrative citation of the action, eyewitness attesting to the
acts of valor or service performed sworn affidavits, a signed
recommendation and a list of potential sources of information to
assists in creating a package for future consideration.
Should the Board determine the applicant has exhausted all
avenues of administrative relief; the applicant has not provided
official documentation verifying he was recommended for and
awarded the DFC. He also does not provide justification or
supporting documentation that reflects he is eligible for award
of the DFC nor does he provide evidence of an error or
injustice.
The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachments, is at
Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant on 8 February 2013, for review and comment within
30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has received
no 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 an error or injustice. We took
notice of the available evidence of record and the applicant's
complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however,
his records do not reflect he is entitled to, or was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross. While the applicant has a
commendable record of service, regrettably, in the absence of
evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to grant the relief
sought in this application.
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 BCMR Docket Number
BC-2012-04339 in Executive Session on 25 April 2013, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Sept 12, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 14 Jan 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Feb 13.
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 03723
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility which are included at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart medal. After a thorough review of the applicant's official military personnel record, no documentation was found to verify award of the Purple Heart Medal. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2012 05328
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05328 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His WD AGO Form 53-98, Military Record and Report of Separation...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 01885
He completed 25 bomber missions with distinction and met the criteria for award of the DFC based on the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) document, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal Criteria in the Army Air Forces in World War II. On his 29th mission, the aircraft he was in crashed and his back was broken. The applicant has not provided justification or supporting documentation that reflects he was eligible for award of the DFC nor did the applicant provide evidence of...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | bc-2004-02294
During the period in question, he was told by a major at base headquarters that upon returning stateside, he would receive the DFC for his completion of a tour of 32 combat missions and an oak leaf cluster to the DFC for his completion of 14 lead missions. Under the revised policy, the DFC could be awarded for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. In view of this statement, and given the total number of missions the applicant...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC-2012-03329
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03329 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be entitled to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for missions he flew during World War II (WWII). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The 9-man flight crew he was assigned to flew 35 combat...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02299
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02299 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 2 Jan 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded an additional oak leaf cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and two additional oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal (AM). ...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-05501
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to any officer or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States who distinguished themselves in actual combat in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight subsequent to 6 April 1917. We took notice of the available evidence of record and the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-03654
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03654 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). _________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: SAF/MRBP recommends upgrading the AM, 5 OLC, to the DFC. We note DPSIDs recommendation to deny...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC-2012-05293
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05293 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH). This could result in an injustice to the applicant if the Purple Heart Review Board made a decision without allowing the applicant an opportunity to provide the missing documentation. Based on their...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-00453
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-00453 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXXX COUNSEL: ROBERT L. ASTON HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 12 August 2008 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak Leaf Cluster (DFC, 1 OLC) and the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster (AM, 5 OLC). The DFC was established...