RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01874
		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:

Based on established Eighth Air Force policy of awarding a DFC upon the completion of 10 lead combat missions, based on his completion of 11 lead combat missions he should be awarded the DFC.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a DFC recommendation and statement from his former commander indicating that he exceeded the requisite 10 lead combat missions for award of the DFC.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served in the European Theatre of Operation from 10 November 1944 to 20 June 1945, as a B-24, Liberator, co-pilot.  He completed a total of 28 combat missions and 11 lead combat missions.

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 application be considered on its merits and a conclusive decision be rendered by the Board.  AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that applicant provides documentation showing he completed 11 lead combat missions; however, there is no indication in his records that he was recommended for award of the DFC.  On 14 August 1946, General sent a memorandum to all Theater Commanders which revised the policy for award of the DFC.  Under the revised policy, the DFC could be awarded for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He has provided documentation from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) verifying his completion of 11 lead missions, a DFC recommendation from his former commander, and a statement from the former 66th Bombardment Squadron commander.  To the best of his knowledge, all other staff and command officers of that era are deceased.

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

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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 probable error or injustice.  In this respect, we note the applicant completed a tour of 32 combat missions and was co-pilot of the lead crew on 11 missions while assigned to the Eighth Air Force as a B-24 co-pilot.  In support of the appeal, the applicant has provided a recommendation and statement from the former 506th Bombardment Squadron commander, who states that during the period in question, Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of 10 lead missions.  In view of this statement, and given the total number of lead missions applicant completed, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent 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 on 18 March 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Lead Co-Pilot on B-24 airplanes on twelve (12) combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-01874 in Executive Session on 30 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 A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 May 04, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, undated.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, Applicant, dated 9 Jul 04, w/atch.

AFBCMR BC-2004-01874

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, XXXXXX, be corrected to show that on 18 March 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Lead Co-Pilot on B-24 airplanes on twelve (12) combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.