RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00358
		INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

	 	COUNSEL:   

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  5 Aug 06

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The former member be awarded two Air Medals (AMs), and his records be corrected to reflect entitlement to the European-African-Middle Eastern-Campaign Medal (EAMECM), the American Campaign Medal (ACM), the World War II Victory Medal, and two Presidential Unit Citations, and his next of kin be provided with a full set of his medals.

_________________________________________________________________

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, the former member should have been awarded two AMs.
 
In support of the appeal, counsel submits a statement from the former 68th Bomb Squadron Commander recommending the former member for award of the BSM and AM, and a list of his combat missions.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The former member’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).  Therefore, the following information has been extracted from the documentation provided by counsel and the reconstructed records.

The former member served in the Army Air Corps in the European Theatre of Operation as a B-24, Liberator, flight engineer and aerial gunner.  He completed a total of twelve combat missions and was killed in action on 21 January 1944 while on a mission targeted against a German V-1 Missile Complex in the Pas Des Calais Area of France.  He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

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 an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that they are forced to recommend the application be denied since there are no military records to substantiate his entitlement to any of the awards.  However, based on his time in service during World War II, he would most assuredly be entitled to the EAMECM, the ACM, the World War II Victory Medal, and two Distinguished Unit Citations (now called the Presidential Unit Citation).  Further, in 1943, General “Hap” Arnold 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.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Counsel states that, among other things, that the requested relief should be favorably considered based on the recommendation of the member’s former commander and in view of the established Eighth Air Force policy in effect during the period in question.

Counsel’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

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 member completed a total of 12 combat missions while assigned to the Eighth Air Force as a B-24 flight engineer and aerial gunner.  We also note that during the contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby 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 the former commanding officer.  In view of this, and given the total number of missions the member completed, we believe he should be awarded two AMs.  Although the member’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973, the Air Force office of primary responsibility has indicated that based on his time in service during World War II, he would most assuredly be entitled to the European-African-Middle Eastern-Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and two Distinguished Unit Citations.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.  Once his records have been corrected, the applicant will be provided a full set of her late father’s medals from the appropriate office of the Air Force.

_________________________________________________________________

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 13 December 1943, he was awarded the Air Medal for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a flight engineer and an aerial gunner on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

	b.	On 4 January 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a flight engineer and an aerial gunner on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

	c.	He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern-Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and two Distinguished Unit Citations.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2005-00358 in Executive Session on 26 May 2005 and 18 August 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

						 , Chair
						 , Member
						 , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 Jan 05, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 29 Mar 05.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Apr 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, Counsel, dated 21 Apr 05.

 
                                   Chair

AFBCMR BC-2005-00358

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 XXXXXX, be corrected to show that:

	a.	On 13 December 1943, he was awarded the Air Medal for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a flight engineer and an aerial gunner on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

		b.	On 4 January 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a flight engineer and an aerial gunner on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

	c.	He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern-Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and two Distinguished Unit Citations.

                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency