RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03794
		INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  

XXX-XX-XXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded additional oak leaf clusters to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and the Air Medal (AM).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Based on the Eighth Air Force established policy of awarding an AM upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions and awarding a DFC upon the completion of a tour of duty, he should be awarded an additional AM and DFC.  In BC-2004-02294, the AFBCMR awarded a DFC to an applicant who had also completed more than the required ten missions as a lead navigator and an additional oak leaf cluster for completion of a tour of 32 combat missions.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a statement from the former 44th Bombardment Group Commander recommending him for award of an additional DFC and AM, and a list of his combat missions.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO.  Therefore, the following information has been extracted from the documentation provided by applicant.

The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served in the European Theatre of Operation from 4 August to 11 December 1944, as a B-24, Liberator, pilot.  He completed a total of 32 combat missions and participated in the Rhineland, Air Offensive Europe, Northern France, and Normandy campaigns.  His Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, issued in conjunction with his 12 December 1945 release from active duty, reflects that he was awarded the AM, with four OLCs.  On 9 February 1945, he was awarded the DFC for completion of 10 combat missions as lead pilot.  

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.

The AM is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

During World War II, the Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of a tour of duty (25 - 35 heavy bomber missions) and an additional AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the AFBCMR evaluate this case on its merits and render a conclusive decision.  AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that although the applicant’s records indicate that he completed a total of 35 combat missions and he has submitted a DFC recommendation signed by his former commander, in 1946, General ordered theater commanders not to award the AM or DFC based solely on the number of combat missions completed, but rather for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.  Applicant’s records do not indicate he was recommended for the decorations while he was on active duty.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the evaluation was forwarded to the applicant’s counsel on 26 January 2005, for review and comments.  However, as of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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 warranting award of additional oak leaf clusters to the DFC and AM.  In this respect, we note the applicant completed a total of 32 combat missions while assigned to the Eighth Air Force as a B-24 pilot.  We also note that during the contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of a tour of duty (25 - 35 heavy bombardment missions) and an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bombardment missions.  In support of the appeal, the applicant has provided a recommendation from his former commanding officer indicating that applicant never received the AM for his last five/seven missions or the DFC for his completion of his combat tour.  In view of the above, and given the total number of missions the applicant completed, we believe he should be awarded an additional oak leaf cluster to the DFC and AM.  Therefore, 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:

	a.	On 10 December 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Pilot on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

	c.	On 10 February 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Pilot on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-03794 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 3 Dec 04, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 26 Jan 05.
     Exhibit c.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Jan 05.

AFBCMR BC-2004-03794

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 XXXXX, XXX-XX-XXXX, be corrected to show that: 

		a.	On 10 December 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Pilot on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

		c.	On 10 February 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Pilot on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.