RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00215
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Air Medal
(AM) with the second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd BOLC).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was due to receive his third Air Medal. He was transferred
out on a mission and was not presented the medal.
In support of his appeal, the applicant provides congressional
correspondence and documentation from his master personnel
records.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicants military personnel records were located in the
area most heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel
Records Center (NPRC) in 1973. Therefore, the dates of his
service could not be verified.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
contained in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of
primary responsibility which can be found at Exhibit B.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The Air Medal was awarded to
persons who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces
of the United States, subsequent to 8 September 1939,
distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement
while participating in aerial flight. The Air Medal may also be
awarded for combat or non-combat action in recognition of single
acts of valor, heroism or merit while participating in aerial
flight. Additionally, it may be conferred for sustained
meritorious achievement in the performance of duties involving
aerial flight.
The applicants official military personnel records were
destroyed in the 1973 fire at the NPRC. After a thorough review
of his limited records, which were provided by the applicant,
there were no documents submitted to verify he was recommended
or approved for the Air Medal with two BOLCs.
The applicants request was not submitted in a timely manner as
over 68 years have passed since he contends the awards were
made. There is insufficient evidence to verify the applicant
was awarded or recommended for the Air Medal.
The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit B.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant on 6 May 2013, for review and comment within 30 days.
As of this date, no response has been received by this office
(Exhibit C).
________________________________________________________________
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 an injustice and, as a result, we
are inclined to recommend granting the applicants request.
Although the applicants records were destroyed by fire in 1973
and no official documentation verifying the applicant was
recommended for or approved for award of the AM w/2OLC, we
believe that some consideration should be given to this
applicants participation and personal sacrifice during WWII.
Based on the applicants aerial participation during the
Normandy invasion we find his entitlement to the AM 2nd BOLC
appropriate and offer the applicant recognition for his
contributions during a momentous period in our nations history.
Therefore, 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 on
1 October 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, second Bronze oak
Leaf Cluster.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered BCMR Docket Number
BC-2013-00215 in Executive Session on 17 October 2013, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 Sep 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 Apr 13.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 12.
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