RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:					DOCKET NUMBER: 01-02836
								INDEX CODE:  107.00

								COUNSEL:  NONE

								HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should be awarded the DFC because the bombardier and pilot received theirs fifty-five years ago.  A crewmember from his crew who flew 30 missions over Germany was recently awarded the DFC.  He was supposed to get his DFC in 1944.  If one member of a crew receives the DFC all members should.  

In support of his request, applicant submits a personal statement, a copy of an AFBCMR approved application for the DFC from a fellow crew member and a copy of his DD Form 214.  Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 29 October 1942 and entered active duty on 12 November 1942, was assigned to duty in the Air Corps, and was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant.  He performed duties as an Aerial Gunner on 30 bombing missions over enemy territory.  He was honorably discharged on 13 June 1945 by reason of demobilization, having served 2 years, 7 months and 15 days of total active military service, of which 10 months and 18 days was foreign service.  His discharge document shows he had participated in the Northern France and Rhineland campaigns.  He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters.

On 12 June 2002, HQ AFPC/DPPRSP, corrected applicant’s record to reflect the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 silver star and 2 Bronze Service Stars and the addition of the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied. AFPC/DPPPR states that the applicant did not state the period for which he asked to be awarded the DFC.  There is no indication that he was recommended for the award of the DFC and he did not provide a written, signed recommendation from anyone in his chain of command or with firsthand knowledge of his accomplishments.  The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant states that in 1944 he and others were selected to be lead crew and would receive the DFC upon completion of 30 missions.  He hopes that an injustice is corrected for the remaining crew members.  There are only two people left from the crew who haven’t yet received the DFC.  The applicant reiterated that he served on 30 missions with another former member whose request for a DFC was approved.  He states that AFPC has erred in their recommendation and that he should be granted the medal as well as the recognition of a certificate.  He as been trying to get his DFC for over two years.  The applicant’s letters, with attachments, are at Exhibit E.

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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 error or injustice warranting the award of the DFC.  In this respect, we note the applicant, while assigned to the Eighth Air Force as an Aerial Gunner, flew 30 combat missions over enemy-occupied territory in Europe between 13 August 1944 and 8 April 1945 and received the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters in recognition of his aerial achievements.  We also note that a crewmember on the same lead crew the applicant served with, notably the radio-operator/mechanic/gunner, was recently awarded the DFC.  Accordingly, in recognition of the applicant's achievements in the service to his nation and to preclude a possibility of an injustice, it is our opinion that any doubt in this matter should be resolved in the applicant's favor. 

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievment, while serving as an Aerial Gunner on a B-24 aircraft in many bombardment missions against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations from 13 August 1944 through 8 April 1945.  

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 01-02836 in Executive Session on 16 October 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
     Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number 01-02836 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, undated, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 6 June 2002.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 June 20021.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 24 June 2002 w/atchs.

AFBCMR 01-02836

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an Aerial Gunner on a B-24 aircraft in many bombardment missions against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations from 13 August 1944 to 8 April 1945.