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. Its
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 applicants 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 applicants 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
applicants 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 applicants 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
applicants service from 29 Apr 43 to 2 Oct 45 and were not
reflected in his records. Upon the Boards final decision, the
applicants 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 applicants request to award the Distinguished Flying Cross
(DFC) to the former servicemember. We took notice of the
applicants 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
servicemembers 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.
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