RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  99-00902
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Since he flew with the same aircrew for 28 missions and was on the 17 February 1945 mission for which the navigator of his aircrew was awarded the DFC through the correction of record process, he should be awarded the DFC.

The applicant states that on 17 February 1945, while on a bombing mission over Iwo Jima, they became aware of the huge U.S. Naval invasion.  Their B-24M aircraft was in the lead flight of four planes and made a bombing run approximately 5,000 feet above the invasion beach.  Then they made a 180˚ turn and flew over Mount Suribache at low level.  The applicant states that he directed his gunfire on the two airfields and large anti-aircraft gun positions.  He started firing over Mount Suribach and did not let up for the six-mile duration of the strafing run.  During the strafing run, he saw many Japanese soldiers on the two runways in and around the anti-aircraft gun pits.  After the mission, he had to replace the two 50 barrels as he fired over 2,000 rounds of ammunition and the aircraft sustained damage from small arms, machine gun with tracers, and larger anti-aircraft fire.  The former navigator of his aircrew was awarded the DFC by the Board for his actions on 17 February 1945.

The applicant also states that during the period in question, aircrews were traditionally awarded the DFC upon the completion of 25 combat missions and he completed 27 missions.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a copy of the DEC recommendation and the Record of Proceedings pertaining to the navigator of his aircrew.  In addition, the applicant submits statements from former members of his aircrew.

The applicant’s complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973, at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

The applicant was enlisted in the Army Air Force on 19 January 1944 and entered active duty.

The applicant served in the Asiatic and Pacific theaters of operation as a B-24 Armored Gunner.  The applicant completed 27 missions and was awarded the Air Medal with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters.

On 17 February 1945, while serving as a B-24M nose gunner, the applicant participated in a group daylight low level attack against the strongly fortified enemy stronghold of Iwo Jima.

The applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of staff sergeant on 24 November 1945 for the convenience of the government (Demobilization).

On 27 November 1945, the Adjutant General’s Office requested the Commander, XXth Air Force, inform them whether or not the applicant was entitled to the DFC.

On 23 March 1946, the XXth Air Force advised the Adjutant General’s  Office that their records did not indicate he was authorized the DFC by the XXth Air Force or Army Air Force, Middle Pacific.

On 29 October 1998, the Board favorably considered an application submitted by the former navigator of the applicant’s aircrew and awarded him the DFC for extraordinary achievement while participating as a navigator in a group daylight low level attack against the strongly fortified enemy stronghold of Iwo Jima on 17 February 1945.

During World War II, the XXth Air Force had an established policy of awarding the DFC for completion of 25 heavy bomber combat missions in the Pacific Operations Area.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The XXXXX, Awards and Decorations Section, AFPC/DPPPR, reviewed the application and states the applicant has provided documentation proving he was the nose gunner on the 17 February 1945 bombing mission over Iwo Jima.  While the statements from fellow crewmembers verify that he was on the 17 February 1945 mission, they do not specify any instance of heroism or extraordinary achievement on the mission.  Although the applicant did submit a recommendation from a person with first-hand knowledge, the recommendation does not present sufficient justification or warrant award of the DFC.  Therefore, they recommend denial of his request.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and states that in his opinion all ten aircrew members exhibited heroic and extraordinary achievement on the 17 February 1945 mission.  It was extraordinary teamwork that was the key to the success of the mission.  He implores the Board to go back in time to the era of B-24 heavy bombers and the men who strafed an island at low level while the enemy bombarded them with tracers and ant-aircraft fire.

The applicant’s complete response is attached at Exhibit E.

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 probable error or injustice.  In this respect, we note that while on a bombing mission, participating in the first low level attack by heavy bombers against the strongly fortified enemy stronghold of Iwo Jima on 17 February 1945, the applicant’s aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. In support of the appeal, the applicant has provided a copy of his flight records, showing he completed 27 combat flight missions, and that he was on the 17 February 1945 mission.  He also submitted statements from fellow crewmembers, stating he was on the flight.   In view of the above, we believe the applicant’s heroic actions on 17 February 1945 meet the criteria for award of the DFC.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating as a nose gunner in a group daylight low level attack against the strongly fortified enemy stronghold of Iwo Jima on 17 February 1945.

The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 30 November 1999, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 March 1999, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 18 June 1999.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 12 July 1999.
	 Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 3 August 1999.