RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03804
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The wife of the former member requests his records be corrected to show he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) Medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The wife of the former member contends that he felt that he deserved the DFC for his duty on Shemya Island during World War II (WWII).

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a copy of three certificates, a copy of General Orders, a copy of military/civilian education, a copy of his Army Separation Qualification Record, a copy of the Air Medal Citation, a copy of the 28th Composite Group Lineage, and a copy of a newspaper article.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The former member’s master personnel record (MPR) appears to have been destroyed by the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis.  The only documents pertaining to the former member’s military service are those provided by the applicant.  The former member served on Active Duty during the period 26 July 1942 through 28 May 1946, and his highest grade was captain.  During his first four months, he served as a pilot of a four-engine aircraft.  The next 32 months were served as an Operations Officer in the 404th Bombardment Squadron in the Aleutians.  His last five months were spent as a Public Relations Officer.  A news article stated that the former member participated in combat aerial missions while serving as an Operations Officer in the Aleutians.  He received the Air Medal for the period 15 August 1944 through 3 February 1945 for participating in numerous strikes against Japanese installations in the Northern Kuriles.

From the documents provided by the applicant, they verified that the former member is entitled to the Air Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Distinguished Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, and WWII Victory Medal.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR states that the applicant has submitted her request based on statements by the former member that he felt he should have received the Distinguished Flying Cross.  The applicant cannot at this time provide any documentation showing the former member was recommended for this decoration.  She believes a footlocker lost in shipment in July 1945 might contain documentation pertinent to her request.  However, the former member served in the 404th Bombardment Squadron during the period 5 August 1943 through 5 February 1946.  Therefore, the footlocker would most likely not contain any documents pertaining to the former member’s military service after 1945.  Therefore, they recommend denial of applicant’s request.

A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The wife of the former member states that she has not based this claim solely on opinions, as she has reviewed some letters received during the time of his Missions from the Island of Shema, Alaska, to bomb the enemy targets (Japan), and also of information given to her by his military associates with whom she is in contact.

She states that she has filed this claim based on several reasons, his descriptions orally and in writing of his missions, information from his military associates, and some historical records of those missions in publications.  Without finding official orders for his DFC recommendation, she is unable to provide the required evidence.  She appreciates the assistance of each department that processed this application and inquiry.  The records she is seeking would be for his duty as a pilot on the Island of Shemya, Alaska, 1944-45.  She is not concerned with his additional duty 1945-46 to Enid, Oklahoma.  It was her understanding that the applicant (former member) had more than three missions of combat flight.  This does not infer a dispute of HQ AFPC/DPPPR records as stated.

She received the request cited in the aforementioned letter to withdraw this application.  She states it is with reluctance that she does so, but does not wish to place a further burden on the government, the Air Force and others regarding this case.

Applicant's complete response is attached 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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for the conclusion that the former member was not been the victim of an error or injustice.  It has been verified that the former member was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flights for the period 15 August 1944 to 3 February 1945.  Documentation shows he did, however, accomplish three combat flight missions, for which he was awarded the Air Medals.  As stated, the Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to service members who distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.  There is no evidence that the former member was recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.  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 this application, BC-2002-03804 in Executive Session on 11 June 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 26 Jan 01, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 15 Apr 03.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 25 Apr 03.
	Exhibit E.  Applicant’s Response, dated 19 May 03.