RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-01625
								INDEX CODE:  100.00
				                    COUNSEL:  NOT INDICATED

								HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) be added to his records.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He would like his records corrected prior to his death so that he can show his grandchildren how proud he is of his medals.  He recently discovered documents, which verifies his entitlement to the awards.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits extracts from his personnel records, to include an Authorized Decorations card, dated 1 Jan 46, listing his entitlement to the Purple Heart.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant was inducted into the Army Air Corps on 13 Nov 42.  He served in the European Theatre of Operation from 28 Jul 44 to 7 Jun 45, as a B-17 Flying Fortress, Mechanic/Gunner.  He was interned as a Prisoner of War (POW) during the period 5 Nov 44 through 1 May 45.  

The Report of Separation issued in conjunction with his 7 Oct 45 honorable discharge, indicates he was awarded the Air Medal (AM) with two Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign (EAME) Ribbon with two Bronze service Star (w/2 BSS) and was authorized the Air Crew Member Badge, which encompasses the Distinguished Unit Badge OLC to the Unit Badge Air Crew Member and the Aerial Gunner Overseas Badge.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the DFC.  AFPC/DPSIDR states, in part, there is no evidence the applicant was ever recommended for, or awarded the DFC.

The AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 1 Nov 07 and 18 Jan 08, for review and comment, within 30 days.  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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to warrant award of the DFC.  In this regard, we note insufficient evidence was presented to show he was recommended for, or awarded, the DFC.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board also notes, that his records were administratively corrected to reflect his entitlement to the Prisoner of War Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. In addition, his records will also be administratively corrected to reflect his entitlement to the Purple Heart.  His entitlement to the EAME w/2 BSS and the AM w/2 OLC were verified and are annotated on his Report of Separation, dated 7 Oct 45.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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-2007-01625 in Executive Session on 12 Feb 08, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 28 Nov 06, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memo, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 3 Jan 08.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Jan 08.