Search Decisions

Decision Text

AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01251
Original file (BC 2014 01251.txt) Auto-classification: Denied
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01251

			COUNSEL:  NONE

			HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), with one 
Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His crew was awarded two DFCs in 1945.  They received the written 
memos, but not the actual Medals.  His plane was the “City of 
Sacco”, named after their left gunner.  During his service he flew 
25 combat missions from Guam to Japan.  His last mission was on 14 
Aug 45. 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 
11 Feb 43 and entered active duty on 18 Feb 43.  He performed 
duties as Radio Operator and Mechanic.

On 6 Dec 45, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, 
and was credited with 2 years, 1 month, and 1 day of active 
service.   He was credited with 6 months and 25 days of Foreign 
Service.

The applicant’s WD AGD Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of 
Separation – Honorable Discharge, reflects the award of the 
following Medals and/or Ribbons:

	- Distinguished Flying Cross
	- Air Medal with three Bronze Clusters
	- Good Conduct Medal
	- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C, D, 
and E.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an 
error or an injustice.  

The DFC may be awarded to any persons who, after 6 Apr 17, while 
serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, 
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.

After a thorough review of the applicant’s limited official 
military personnel record, they were unable to verify award of the 
DFC with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFHRA/RS recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an 
error or an injustice. 

After a thorough review of the official unit histories of the 43rd 
Bombardment Squadron, 29th Bombardment Group, 314th Bombardment 
Wing, XXI Bomber Command and Twentieth Air Force, as well as the 
871st Bombardment Squadron and 497th Bombardment Group, they have 
come to the conclusion that the 27 May 14 letter by AFPC/DPSID is 
correct in that the applicant’s claim for an additional DFC is 
without merit. 

A complete copy of the AFHRA/RS evaluation is at Exhibit D.

SAF/MRBP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an 
error or an injustice.  

They have reviewed the applicant’s records and supporting 
documents and concur with the recommendation of the Air Force 
Historical Research Agency and AFPC/DPSID to deny his request.  
There is no evidence or documentation to support his petition for 
an additional DFC.

A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 30 Jan 15 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit F).  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.  We took 
notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and 
recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility 
(OPR) and SAF/MRBP and adopt their rationale as the basis for our 
conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of 
injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, 
we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

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-2014-01251 in Executive Session on 10 Mar 15 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

      , Panel Chair
      , Member
      , Member


The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2014-01251 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Mar 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 27 May 14.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFHRA/RS, dated 24 Dec 14.
	Exhibit E.  Memorandum, SAF/MRBP, dated 14 Jan 15.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 Jan 15.

			




Similar Decisions

  • AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01090

    Original file (BC 2014 01090.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Under the new policy an individual was considered for award of the AM after completing 250 operational hours and for the DFC after 500 hours. No documentation was submitted indicating the applicant completed 500 operational flying hours. A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit E. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Through a letter from his son, he contends that based upon the AFHRA/RS description of the requirements for award of flying decorations in WWII, the Air...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01060

    Original file (BC 2014 01060.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    On 2 Dec 66, the former service member was transferred from the NY ANG to the Air Force Reserve. There is no official documentation in the decedent's record, nor did the next of kin provide any with this request, to verify the decedent was recommended for or awarded the DFC or the BSM, w/1BOLC. The DFC may be awarded to any persons who, after 6 Apr 17, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 03723

    Original file (BC 2013 03723.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    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 | CY2014 | BC 2014 00809

    Original file (BC 2014 00809 .txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Other than the reference to the DFC in his unit’s awards and decorations officer’s 14 Feb 69 letter, there is no official military documentation recommending or awarding the DFC to the applicant. Notwithstanding the above, AFPC/DPSID’s research did reveal the AM w/3BOLC, VCM, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/4 BSS), and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P), should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 26 Feb 65 to 12 Nov 68 but...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 00454

    Original file (BC 2014 00454.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant contends his request through his Congressman in 2001 resulted in being awarded the DFC w/1 BOLC; however, a letter from the NPRC to his Congressman, on behalf of the applicant, states they verified entitlement to the requested medals and awards on the DA Form 1577, Authorization for Issuance of Awards, which includes a basic award of the DFC but no annotation of a DFC w/1 BOLC. The applicant was awarded the Air Medal (AM) w/ 9 OLCs by an Eighth Air Force Special Order (G-353)...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 04289

    Original file (BC 2013 04289.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Fourth, any criteria set by the War Department are just not applicable to this case. The OER is clearly an official record, and it clearly states that the decedent had been recommended for a DFC. This case is not like others where the applicant seeks the award of a DFC where the only evidence was the applicant's statement that he was told by his commander that he would be recommended for a DFC.

  • AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 05128

    Original file (BC 2013 05128.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05128 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C, D and E. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01521

    Original file (BC 2014 01521.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01521 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded for his actions on 1-2 May 99 be changed from being awarded for extraordinary achievement to being awarded for extraordinary heroism with award of the valor (“V”) device. There is no documentation in the records to support his characterization of this deployed...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01298

    Original file (BC 2014 01298.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Additionally, the Board notified the applicant that his request for award of the VSM was a new request and required a new DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Records. There is no official documentation in the applicant's record verifying he was recommended for or awarded the DFC. We have thoroughly reviewed the evidence of record and considered the weight and relevance of the additional documentation provided by the applicant, and whether or not it was discoverable at the...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 00244

    Original file (BC 2014 00244.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00244 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His father be awarded the following awards: Good Conduct Medal (GCM); Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). A complete copy of the SAFPC evaluation is at Exhibit E. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The AFHRA admits they missed finding records on four of his father’s missions, one of those missing recorded...