RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-02057
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Air Medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

An announcement by the 8th Air Force Bomber Station in England to his local paper stated that he was awarded the Air Medal “for meritorious achievement while serving on a B-17 during combat bombing missions over Nazi Europe.”  This information was not recorded on his discharge paper.

In support of the application, the applicant submits his correspondence with a member of Congress, a supportive statement from his Congressman, two discharge certificates, an article from a local newspaper, two separation documents, and copies of his correspondence with the Air Force Review Boards Agency (AFRBA).

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s military records were either lost or destroyed.  The following information is extracted from partially reconstructed records provided by the applicant.  The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 14 January 1944 and entered active duty on 17 February 1944.  Following his successful completion of training, he performed duties as a Flight Engineer and Gunner.  The applicant served in the European Theater of Operations from 13 February 1945 to 27 June 1945.  He participated in the Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns.  He was honorably discharged in the grade of technical sergeant on 9 November 1945.  He was credited with 1 year, 9 months and 26 days of active duty service, of which 4 months and 25 days were Foreign Service.  His Report of Separation reflects award of the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for service in the Air Corps on 10 November 1945 and served in the grade of technical sergeant until 9 December 1946, when he was honorably discharged for the convenience of the government.  He was credited with a total of 2 years, 10 months and 23 days of service for pay.  During this last period of service, he served 7 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations.  He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal during this period of service.  He subsequently served honorably in the Air Force Reserve from 29 November 1946 to 27 March 1953.  He was credited a period of active duty from 11 August 1950 to 10 August 1951.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR states although there is no documentation in the applicant’s almost non-existent personnel record to support his award of the Air Medal, they believe there may be sufficient information available to favor his entitlement.  Historically, a person with the credit the applicant received most likely would have been awarded at least one Air Medal for meritorious achievement.  DPPPR states although they cannot recommend approval based on the absence of substantiating documentation, they would ask the Board to consider approval.

DPPPR’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment on 17 September 2004.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 injustice.  The documentation submitted by the applicant was limited; however, in view of the opinion expressed by the Air Force office of primary responsibility stating, “(h)istorically, a person with the aforementioned credits most probably would have been awarded at least one Air Medal for meritorious achievement,” we believe any doubt in this matter should be resolved in the applicant’s favor and his records should be corrected in the following manner.

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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 9 November 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while serving as a waist gunner on a B-17 bomber on combat missions over enemy occupied territory in Europe during the period 13 February 1945 to 27 June 1945.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-02057 in Executive Session on 1 February 2005, 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 8 Jun 04, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 13 Sep 04.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Sep 04.

AFBCMR BC-2004-02057

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 on 9 November 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while serving as a waist gunner on a B-17 bomber on combat missions over enemy occupied territory in Europe during the period 13 February 1945 to 27 June 1945.