RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-01884
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE: 18 NOVEMBER 2007 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served with the 51st Troop Carrier Wing during Operation Husky.  He has enclosed documentation which shows he was awarded the AM.  He never received the award and it was never annotated in his records.

In support of the application, the applicant submits a letter from his daughter and a letter from the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFRHA) with attachments.  

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s service records were damaged by fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO.  As a result, the following is the only known information pertaining to the applicant’s service which was extracted from the partially reconstructed record and from documents provided by the applicant.

On or about 6 Jul 45, the applicant was relieved from active duty in the Army Air Corps for the convenience of the government in the grade of Captain.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial.  DPPPR states the AM is awarded to U.S. and civilian personnel for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight and foreign military personnel in actual combat in support of operations.  DPPPR notes no official documentation (special order, citation, certificate, etc.) was located in the applications official record that verifies his entitlement to the AM.  DPPPR declares the documentation provided by AFRHA does not have an official seal or signature to validate the letter and no inclusive time period is listed on the document that verifies when the AM was awarded.

The complete DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, 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 on 3 Jul 07 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response (Exhibit D).

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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 an injustice.  Although the applicant’s entitlement to the requested awards could not be verified though his official records, the Air Force Historical Research Agency was able to verify his participation in the invasion of Sicily sometime during May-Aug 1943.  Based on their findings, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to show he was awarded the Air Medal for his participation in Operation HUSKY, as 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 31 August 1943, he was awarded the he was awarded the Air Medal while participating as a member of the 51st Troop Carrier Wing during Operation HUSKY.
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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR BC-2007-01884 in Executive Session on 29 August 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Jun 07, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 Jun 07.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Jul 07.