RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04412
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her deceased father be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star
Medal.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Her father participated in the Battle of Burp Gun Corner in
March 1945. He was a second lieutenant and a Glider Pilot in
the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group.
All living members of his unit received the Bronze Star Medal in
1995; however, her father passed away in 1990 and was not
awarded the Bronze Star.
In support of the appeal, the applicant submits a personal
statement, her birth certificate, the members death
certificate, letter of support, news articles, award
recommendation, DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States
Report of Transfer or Discharge, WD AGO 53-98, Military Record
and Report of Separation Certificate of Service and other
supporting documentation.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The deceased member retired from the Air Force on 31 July 1969
in the grade of lieutenant colonel.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
contained in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of
primary responsibility which is contained at Exhibit C.
_______________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends approval. There was no official
documentation verifying the decedent was awarded the Bronze Star
Medal. However, based on the documentation provided and the
fact that the decedent is confirmed to have been a glider pilot
assigned to the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier
Group we conclude he should have been included in the original
award approval in 1995.
The applicant provided a letter of recommendation for the Bronze
Star Medal from a former Air Force Chief of Staff. The decedent
was awarded the Air Medal in May 1945 for meritorious service
while assigned to the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop
Carrier Group. The Air Medal citation describes how pilots of
troop carrier gliders assisted Allied troops by supplying combat
equipment near the Rhine on 24 March 1945.
Several online sources echo the story of the decedents Air Medal
in depth and refer to the battles as Operation Varsity and/or
the Battle at Burp Gun Corner. The Air Force Magazine states in
March 1995 that the Air Force Chief of Staff learned from a
retired major of the heroic actions of these glide pilots turned
infantry and directed the appropriate awards be made to those
who took part in the fighting. There were 4 officers who were
awarded the Silver Star and all others who fought in this battle
were awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant on 17 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took note
of the applicants complete submission to include the Air Force
office of primary responsibility assessment and agree with their
recommendation. The applicant has submitted evidence to
substantiate her fathers entitlement to the BSM for his
participation in Battle of Burp Gun Corner. In recognition to
the decedents service to the nation, we recommend his records
be corrected as indicated below.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that WD AGO
53-98, Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of
Service, Item 29, Decorations and Citations, issued in
conjunction with his 21 November 1945 separation, be amended to
include the Bronze Star Medal.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered BCMR Docket Number
BC-2012-04412 in Executive Session on 18 June 2013, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The
following documentary was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Jun 12, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 Jan 13.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Feb 13.
Panel Chair
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