RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01538
		INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He completed a total of 25 combat missions, rather than 23 combat missions.  At the time of his separation, he was discharged to, Michigan.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a spreadsheet regarding the 25 combat missions his aircrew flew.  The information was taken from the handwritten notebook of the aircraft’s radio operator.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant’s records were destroyed by fire at the National Personnel Records Center on 12 July 1973.  Therefore, the following information has been extracted from the documentation provided by applicant.

Applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served in the European Theatre of Operation from 12 November 1944 to 1 June 1945, as a B-29, aerial gunner (nose turret).  The WD AGO Form 100, Separation Qualification Record, issued in conjunction with his 15 October 1945 separation, indicates that he completed a total of 23 combat missions.  He participated in the Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes battles and campaigns.  He was awarded the AM, with three Oak Leaf Clusters (OLCs).

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.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the applicant’s request for award of the DFC be denied and states, in part, that in 1946 the “score card” method of awarding DFCs and AMs was discontinued.  In addition, the timeline for submitting decorations is two years, unless someone in the member’s chain of command who has firsthand knowledge of the acts or achievements makes the recommendation, and the recommendation is submitted through a member of Congress.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant states that when his discharge address was corrected, it was erroneously corrected to reflect County, rather than County.  In regards to the DFC, since he completed his 25 combat missions from 1944 to 1945, prior to the 1946 change in policy, he is entitled to the DFC.

Applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit D.

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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 to warrant awarding the DFC.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and applicant’s submission, we are not persuaded that relief should be granted.  Applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973, at the National Personnel Records Center.  The documentation provided by applicant indicates that he served in the Army Air Corps in the European Theatre of Operation from 12 November 1944 to 1 June 1945, as a B-29, aerial gunner.  Although applicant contends he completed a total of 25 combat missions, the WD AGO Form 100, Separation Qualification Record, issued in conjunction with his 15 October 1945 separation indicates that he completed a total of 23 combat missions.  Regardless, although the Eighth Air Force had an established policy from 1942 to 1944, whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of 25 heavy bomber missions, in 1944, the total number of missions for award of a DFC was increased from 25 to 35.  The personal sacrifice applicant endured for his country is noted and our decision in no way diminishes the high regard we have for his service; however, in the absence of evidence that he completed a total of 35 combat missions, we find no compelling basis to recommend awarding him the DFC.  Applicant also requested award of the Good Conduct Medal (GCM); however, after reviewing the documentation provided, AFPC/DPPRSP has administratively corrected his record to reflect award of the GCM, with two Bronze Loops.  Further, it appears that when administratively correcting his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Discharge, items 9 and 12, were erroneously amended to reflect __----- County, Michigan, rather than ----- County, Michigan.  The appropriate office of the Air Force will administratively correct items 9 and 12 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to reflect ----- County, Michigan.

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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 BC-2004-01538 in Executive Session on 17 August 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 May 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Jul 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Jul 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, dated 27 Jul 04, w/atch.