RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01534
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded seven (7) Air Medals; i.e., an Air Medal with six (6) Oak Leaf Clusters (OLCs).
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

In addition to serving as the Lead Navigator, he was also appointed as the awards officer of the Numbered Bomb Squadron.  He was instructed by his commander to award an Air Medal for every five (5) missions flown.  He flew 35 missions during World War II; therefore, he should have seven (7) medals or clusters.

In support of his request, applicant submits a personal statement, a Certificate of Valor and additional documents associated with the issues cited in his contentions.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s Military Record and Report of Separation, WG AGO Form 53-99, reflects that, as a member of the Army of the United States Air Corps (AUS AC), he entered active duty, in the grade of second lieutenant on 26 February 1944.  The applicant was assigned to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during the period 8 August 1944 - 6 May 1945.  He received the following awards:  Air Medal (AM), with three Oak Leaf Clusters (OLCs) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).  In 1997, the applicant’s records were administratively corrected to reflect award of the AM with four OLCs, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with one Silver and two Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and the Good Conduct Medal.  The applicant was relieved from active duty in the grade of captain on 13 November 1945 for the convenience of the government (demobilization).  At the time of his separation, he had completed a total of 11 months and 4 days of continental service and 9 months and 14 days of foreign service.

Applicant’s Separation Qualification Record, WG AGO Form 100, reveals credit for completion of 35 combat missions while serving overseas as a navigator on Liberator B-24.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied.  DPPPR states that the applicant’s records show that he completed 35 combat flight missions while stationed overseas.  However, during the period he was there, Air Medals were no longer automatically awarded for a specific number of flights.  A written recommendation had to be submitted, through administrative channels to the 15th Air Force for final approval.  The applicant has been informed, through his congressional representative, that a written and signed recommendation should be submitted for any additional awards of the Air Medal.

DPPPR states that, in 1945, an inquiry was made on behalf of the applicant regarding his entitlement to the third and fourth oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal.  This letter was found with a copy of each order/citation for the applicant’s Air Medals and Distinguished Flying Cross.  None of the applicant’s Air Medals were awarded for a specified number of combat flight missions; they were awarded by the 15th Air Force for specific dates as follows:

	-  Basic Air Medal (AM), awarded for the period 17 August-3 September 1944, by General Order (GO) 2789, dated 3 October 1944.

	-  First Oak Leaf Cluster/Air Medal, awarded for the period 6 September-4 November 1944, by GO 4584, dated 20 November 1944.

	-  Second Oak Leaf Cluster/Air Medal, awarded for the period 6 November-25 December 1944, by GO 47, dated 3 January 1945.

	-  Third Oak Leaf Cluster/Air Medal, awarded for 1 March 1945, by GO 2269, dated 11 April 1945.

	-  Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster/Air Medal, awarded for the period 4 January-11 April 1945, by GO 3090, dated 7 May 1945.

	-  Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for 6 November 1944, by GO 5007, dated 15 December 1944.

Each Air Medal was awarded for a specific period of time, covering his entire tour of duty in Europe.  Since each was presented to the applicant, the citation for each would have been read aloud at the time.  Therefore, the applicant’s contention that the Air Medal was awarded for every five combat flight missions cannot be considered valid.  DPPPR believes the applicant received the proper recognition for his aerial achievements while he was still on active duty.  The HQ AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He stated that he was awarded several medals in 1944 and 1945, but did not receive them until 1997.  He did not ask for the medals or clusters, but simply a letter that he had earned seven clusters for seven combat missions since he was the lead.  He has questioned a number of veterans and every one confirmed the fact that they had received an Air Medal for flying six or more missions to earn the proper award.

An additional letter to the advisory writer was provided in which he states that he is now being instructed by more than one office to correct his award of only four Air Medals, when the position in World War II called for five Air Medals or clusters for every five combat missions.  No form, other than oral was ever given to him for an Air Medal for each five combat missions.  He has been making a survey of flyers in other outfits and organizations and everyone confirms that he is right.  There were few men who matched his record in leading 35 combat missions during a horrible war.  He is not asking for money, or for fancy medals, simple for a letter that will confirm that he is entitled to seven medals or clusters for his 35 combat missions.

In support of the applicant’s request, he has submitted a letter from a former bombardier and additional documents associated with the issues cited in his contentions.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is 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.  The Board majority noted that, in the capacity as squadron navigator, the applicant was charged with the responsibility of leading group and wing formations to and from enemy targets, which was some of the most dangerous missions of the war.  The evidence of record also indicates that, as navigator on the B-24 Liberator Bomber over Germany, he was credited with the completion of 35 combat missions.  In support of the applicant’s contention that award of the Air Medal was determined by the number of combat missions, he has provided a statement from a former bombardier who flew on 25 combat missions over Germany and confirms the applicant’s claim.  Even though the applicant has not substantiated that he was ever recommended for award of the Fifth and Sixth Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal, after a thorough review of his submission, the Board majority is persuaded that the applicant’s request should be approved based on the type and number of combat missions he flew during the war.  In view of the foregoing and in order to offset any possibility of an injustice, the Board majority is convinced that he was deserving of the requested awards.  Therefore, the Board majority recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as 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 in addition to the Air Medals previously awarded, based on his completion of 35 combat missions and meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, he was also awarded the Fifth and Sixth Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal.
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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 14 August 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

By a majority vote, the Board recommended granting the relief sought in this application.  Mr. Roj voted to deny the applicant's request but did not desire to submit a minority report.  The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-01534.

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 28 Apr 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 5 Jun 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jun 03.
   Exhibit E.  Letters from Applicant, dated 18 Jun 03, w/atchs,
	             and 23 Jun 03.

                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-01534

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 APPLICANT be corrected to show that in addition to the Air Medals previously awarded, based on his completion of 35 combat missions and meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, he was also awarded the Fifth and Sixth Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal.

                                     	Director
                                     	Air Force Review Boards Agency