RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2002-00228
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Air Medal for the period 22 November 1943 through 25 September 1946.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He did not receive a decoration in recognition of his aerial achievements during World War II.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided a personal statement, Recommendation for Award of the Air Medal, dated 16 February 1945, Commendation Letter, dated 27 January 1945, and other documentation. 

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Available records indicate that the applicant entered active duty in the Army Air Corps on 13 May 1943.

His Report of Separation reflects award of the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Easter Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

On 9 December 1946, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of Captain under the provisions of AR 615-365 RR 1-1 (Convenience of the Government/Demobilization).

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial.  They indicated that the applicant submitted a request for award of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal (with oak leaf clusters) through congressional channels, as required, and his request was denied.  He submitted a request for reconsideration for award of the Air Medal (no oak leaf clusters) through congressional channels within the one-year time limit, as required, and was again denied.  The applicant was recommended for award of the Air Medal in 1945, in 2000, and in 2001.  The final approval authority did not receive the first recommendation.  The second and third recommendations were considered by SAFPC and denied.

The evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application a second time and recommended denial.  They indicated that on 9 March 2002, the applicant submitted additional documents to SAF/MRBR, and the case was returned to this office for review of the documents.  None of the documents provided offer any additional justification for award of the Air Medal.

The evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 30 April 2002 and 25 May 2002, the applicant requested his application be temporarily withdrawn (Exhibit F).

On 30 December 2002, the applicant requested his case be reopened and has provided additional documentation that is at Exhibit H.

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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 an injustice warranting award of the Air Medal.  The applicant contends that he did not receive award of the Air Medal in recognition of his aerial achievements during World War II.  The Board notes that on 16 February 1945 the applicant’s commander recommended him for award of the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained operation flights in the ferrying and delivery of vitally needed aircraft to foreign theaters of operation, from November 1943 through November 1944.  However, through no fault of the applicant’s, the Awards and Decorations Board never received the recommendation package.  In view of this and in recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments in the defense of our nation during wartime, we believe the benefit of the doubt should be resolved in his favor.  Therefore, in view of the above and to offset any possibility of an injustice to the applicant, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 16 February 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement during the period 22 November 1943 to 3 November 1944, while participating in sustained operational flights in ferrying and delivery of vitally needed aircraft to foreign theaters of operation over wide expanses of water.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-00228 in Executive Session on 3 April 2003, 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 24 January 2003, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 27 February 2003,
	             w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 29 March 2002.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 April 2002.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, dated 30 April 2002, w/atch.
   Exhibit G.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 20 May 2002.
   Exhibit H.  Letter, Applicant, dated 20 December 2002,
	             w/atchs.

			

AFBCMR BC-2002-00228

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 on 16 February 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement during the period 22 November 1943 to 3 November 1944, while participating in sustained operational flights in ferrying and delivery of vitally needed aircraft to foreign theaters of operation over wide expanses of water.