RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00299 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His father be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). 

 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

All other crewmembers on his B-17, besides his father, received 
the DFC. His father was wounded, received the Purple Heart Medal, 
and was off flying status for 15 weeks. His father ended up 
flying 33 combat missions, between two different crews. It’s 
possible the oversight (of not being awarded the DFC) is because 
his father completed his combat tour while assigned to a different 
crew. The original crew all received the DFC, and the applicant 
has letters from the copilot and tail gunner to validate they all 
received the DFC. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 29 Apr 43, the applicant entered the Army Air Corps. 

 

From 1 May 44 to 4 Dec 44, with the exception of being grounded 
for injuries from 14 Jul - 3 Sep 44, the applicant was credited 
with 35 combat missions 

 

On 2 Oct 45, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, 
and was credited with one year, eight months, and one day of 
active service, which included nine months and three days of 
foreign service. 

 

On 25 Mar 14, AFPC/DPSIDR responded to the applicant’s request to 
award the DFC to his father. No previous award of the DFC could 
be found at that time and AFPC/DPSIDR provided instructions for 
submitting an application for consideration. 

 


The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. 

 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or an injustice. The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) 
may be awarded to any person who, after 6 Apr 17, distinguish 
themselves by heroism or 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. 

 

A revised Policy for Award of the DFC, 14 Aug 43, Memorandum to 
Theater Commanders, states in order to justify an award of the DFC 
for heroism, the heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action in 
the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty while 
participating in aerial flight; no award of the DFC will be made 
on the basis of hours or missions. 

 

In accordance with Headquarters Army Air Forces Memorandum dated 
21 Jan 45; under the revised policy [14 Aug 43 Memo], the so-
called "routine or score card" basis of award of the DFC was 
officially prohibited as of 14 Aug 43. 

 

There is no evidence in the applicant's record, nor was any 
submitted, to support award of the DFC. The basis for the 
applicant’s request is not a specific act of heroism or 
extraordinary achievement but based on number of missions flown, 
which was prohibited as of 14 Aug 43. 

 

The documentation submitted with this request is considered an 
incomplete package. In order to reasonably consider the request, 
the next of kin will need to submit a recommendation from someone 
with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement preferably from 
someone within the applicant's chain of command at the time of the 
act/achievement, a proposed citation with inclusive dates and a 
summary of his single act of heroism or extraordinary achievement, 
and eyewitness statements. To grant relief would be contrary to 
the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air 
Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. 

 


Additionally, based on our review of the applicant’s official 
military personnel record, it was determined the Good Conduct 
Medal (GCM), World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM), and American 
Campaign Medal (ACM) should have been awarded during the 
applicant’s service from 29 Apr 43 to 2 Oct 45 and were not 
reflected in his records. Upon the Board’s final decision, the 
applicant’s official military personnel record will be 
administratively corrected. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR 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 4 May 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As 
of this date, no response has been received by this office. 

 

 

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 with regards to 
the applicant’s request to award the Distinguished Flying Cross 
(DFC) to the former servicemember. We took notice of the 
applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; 
however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air 
Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion 
the former servicemember has not been the victim of an error of 
injustice. We note AFPC/DPSIDR has determined the former 
servicemember’s eligibility for the GCM, WWIIVM, and ACM and will 
correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence 
of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend 
granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. 

 

 

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 AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2014-00299 in Executive Session on 30 Jun 15 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 Jan 14, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 22 Sep 14. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 May 15.