ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 02-02730

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  

	XXXXXXX	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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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 10 March 2003, the Board considered applicant’s request that he be awarded the PH and DFC.  The Board found insufficient evidence of an error or injustice and denied the application.  For an accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the application, and the rationale of the earlier decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings at Exhibit D.

In a letter to the applicant’s Congressman, dated 15 July 2004, the applicant’s counsel requests reconsideration of the request for award of the DFC and provides additional documentation (Exhibit E).

During the period in question, the Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby the DFC was awarded upon the completion of 25 combat missions.  Applicant 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.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice warranting award of the DFC.  In this respect, we note the Board previously denied his request for award of the DFC based on the absence of evidence that he completed a total of 25 combat missions.  In support of the appeal, the applicant’s counsel has provided 27 combat aircrew lists upon which the applicant’s name appears.  Based on this evidence, we believe the applicant has sufficiently established that he completed a total of 27 combat missions.  We also note that during the contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of 25 heavy bombardment missions.  In view of the above, and given the total number of missions the applicant completed, we believe he should be given the benefit of the doubt with respect to the written recommendation and awarded the DFC.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

2.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice warranting award of the Purple Heart (PH).  After careful consideration of the evidence provided in support of his request for the PH, we find no evidence that he was ever injured as a direct result of enemy action and awarded the PH.  In view of the above, we find no basis upon which to recommend correction of his records to reflect he was the recipient of the PH.

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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 22 June 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an aerial gunner on B-17 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2002-02730 in Executive Session on 5 August 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

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

     Exhibit D.  Record of Proceedings, dated 26 Mar 03, w/atchs.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, C/M Aderholt, dated 15 Jul 04, w/atchs.

                                  

AFBCMR BC-2002-02730

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 XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that on 22 June 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an aerial gunner on B-17 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.