RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 02-02730

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should be awarded the PH because he was hit by shrapnel from enemy fire and should be awarded the DFC because he completed over 25 combat missions.

The applicant states that on 9 August 1944, shrapnel from enemy fire hit him shortly before their plane was shot down.

The applicant also states that during the period in question, the 8th Air Force had an established policy whereby the DFC was awarded upon the completion of 25 combat missions.  He completed over 25 combat missions; however, he was shot down over Belgium/Germany on his 28th combat mission, and interned as a Prisoner-of-War (POW), where he remained until 9 May 1945.  Although he was awarded the Air Medal, with Two Oak Leaf Clusters (AM, 2 OLC), he never received the DFC.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC); therefore, the following information is obtained from the documentation provided by applicant.

On 4 March 1943, the applicant enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was progressively promoted to the grade of technical sergeant.

During the period 6 May 1944 through 12 June 1945, he served in the European Theater of Operations.  He participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, Europe Air Offensive, and the Western Europe Campaigns, and was awarded the Air Medal, with Two Oak Leaf Clusters.

On 19 October 1945, he was honorably discharged.  He completed 2 years, 7 months and 16 days of active service.

On 1 October 2002, his records were administratively corrected to show that he was awarded the POW Medal (Germany: 9 Aug 44 - 13 May 1945), the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy action (i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced aircraft bail out injuries, etc.) that required or received treatment by medical personnel. 

The DFC was established by Congress on 2 July 1926 and is awarded for 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.

During the period in question, the 8th Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of 25 heavy bomber missions and an AM was awarded upon the completion of five heavy bomber missions.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that the applicant has not provided documentation showing that he completed 25 combat missions or that a written recommendation was submitted into official channels recommending him for the award.  Without such documentation, his eligibility for the DFC cannot be determined.  They contacted the applicant and asked him to provide documentation indicating that he completed 25 combat missions, and he did not respond.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 25 October 2002 for review and response within 30 days.  However, as of this date, this office has received no response.

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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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant’s contentions, we are not persuaded that he has been the victim of an error or injustice.  The personal sacrifice the applicant endured for his country is noted and our decision in no way diminishes the high regard we have for his service; however, insufficient documentary evidence has been presented to warrant awarding him the Purple Heart.  While the 8th Air Force did award DFCs upon the completion of 25 combat missions during the period in question, the applicant has provided no evidence to substantiate that he completed 25 combat missions.  Although we are not questioning his integrity regarding the total number of missions he completed, in the absence of documentary evidence to substantiate that he completed 25 combat missions, we find no basis to warrant awarding him the DFC.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-02730 in Executive Session on 10 March 2003 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Aug 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 20 Sep 02, w/atch.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Oct 02.