RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2008-01826
								INDEX CODE:  100.00
	XXXXXXX					COUNSEL:  NONE

								HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.	He be awarded the Silver Star (SS) for gallantry in action on 15 June 1952, while leading a group bombing raid on Pyong Yang East Airport, in North Korea.

2.	He be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) he was previously presented by General Baucus for extraordinary heroism on 28 June 1952, while, as a first lieutenant, leading a group of 25 F-84s in the destruction of 150 trucks and eight gun positions, accounting for six percent of the total trucks and gun positions destroyed by the group during from 1950 to 1953.

3.	He be awarded the SS, First Oak Leaf Cluster (SS, 1 OLC) for gallantry in action on 4 July 1952, while as Group Leader, leading 37 F-84s against the North Korean Military Academy at Sakchu, North Korea.

4.	He be awarded the SS, 2 OLC, for gallantry in action while leading over 100 close-air-support missions to the front lines of the Korean War from March to August 1952.

5.	He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea during the period May through August 1952, totaling 102 combat missions.

6.	The decorations awarded to him in 1985 by the Chief of Staff for his second tour of duty in Korea, i.e., SS, DFCs 1st through 3rd OLCs, & Air Medal, with Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster (AM, 4 OLC), be placed in his records.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His decorations and record of service during the Korean War, with the 49th and 51st Fighter Wings are missing.

In the early 1980’s, the Chief of Staff (a former flight member of his wing in 1952) discovered that he [the applicant] was the only ace without any medals and initiated decoration recommendations to correct this.  In 1985, the Chief of Staff awarded him the SS, 1st through 3rd OLCs to the DFC, and the AM, 4 OLC, for his second tour of duty in Korea as an F-86 pilot, with the 51st Fighter Wing.  However, he has never received the decorations for his first combat tour in Korea as an F-84 pilot.

In January 1952, the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing (49th FBW) lost 18 pilots.  The losses, including 241 F-84s, were so high by the end of 1952, the wing was disbanded and sent to Japan.  When the wing went to Japan, all the records were sent elsewhere.  In normal channels, no one could find the Daily Mission Reports, which were the source for all award recommendations.  In 2003, these mission reports were located.

Translated Russian documents establish that in 1952 the Soviet Union paid its pilots 1500 rubles for each US aircraft shot down which, based on the 1952 exchange rate, equated to $4,500.00 US dollars.

15 June 1952 - Pyong Yang Airport East, North Korea.  He distinguished himself by gallantry in action while leading a group-bombing raid to destroy specific targets on Pyong Yang Airport East that had remained after a previous group effort.  The accuracy of the attack was critical since Prisoners-of-War (POWs) were embedded in key sites.  To assure the maximum safety of the POWs, napalm and strafing were employed, making the attacking aircraft coming in low and slow extremely vulnerable to the dense ground fire.  The airport was heavily defended by 48 anti-aircraft guns and more than 100 automatic weapons, making it one of the worst “flak traps” in Korea.  Against these odds, he led an almost perfect attack, resulting in 100 percent coverage and 98 percent effectiveness.  No POW buildings were hit, nor did any aircraft sustain major damage.  The results of the mission were cited as excellent and gratifying, and proved the ability of the Far East Air Forces jet and propeller planes to carry-out a variety of destructive missions.

28 June 1952 - Destruction of 150 trucks, 50 fuel drums, 8 gun positions, and 150 enemy troops.  He distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism near Wonson, Korea as group leader (as a first lieutenant) of 24 F-84s assigned to the destruction of a target on a deep interdiction mission.  Approximately half way to the primary target, the group was diverted to attack a target a P-51 weather flight had spotted.  He located the P-51 and put his group into orbit.  He performed an extremely difficult weather penetration, without electronic navigation aids, to locate the truck convoy.  Upon returning to the group, he established a systematic round-robin of all six flights to allow penetration of the weather and a reasonable chance of hitting the targets.  It is a testament to his leadership ability that he was able to plan and execute a very difficult attack and led the group in a devastatingly successful strike.  The trucks were too numerous for the F-84 ordnance so he directed they continue the attacks by strafing.  Because of the adverse weather, he disregarded his own safety and remained in the target area, vulnerable to heavy ground fire, to direct attacking aircraft through the weather to the most lucrative targets.  The six other officers that led their squadrons all received the DFC - the most given on any mission.  For leading the group [as a lieutenant] the 5th Air Force Commander presented him the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and stated that he did not have the authority for the DSC and that 5th Air Force Headquarters in Tokyo would have to approve it, but he “…had never been turned down yet.”  However, he was mixed in with the flight leaders by mistake and never received the orders and citation to accompany the DSC.  Instead, he received orders erroneously awarding him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).  The mission accounted for 6 percent of the total trucks and gun positions destroyed by the group during from 1950 to 1953.  

4 July 1952 Mission - North Korean Military Academy, Sakchu, North Korea.  He distinguished himself by gallantry in action while leading a group of 37 F-84s in a raid to strafe and deliver 7,000 gallons of napalm to the North Korean Military Academy.  The academy was located across the Yalu River from Antung, where approximately 1,200 MiG-15s were based.  In spite of fierce enemy opposition (200 attacking MiG-15s - the most numerous of the Korean War - and extremely heavy anti-aircraft fire), he dealt a devastating blow to the Academy.  During preflight mission briefing he emphasized there was no way to avoid radar detection, there would be MiG-15s encountered, and there would be no room for a feint to confuse their target destination.  He gave a pep talk describing that they had to hit the target, not drop their ordnance at the report of MiG-15s, as other missions had done.  He further advised that if attacked, they would form Lufbery Circles [a horizontal circle in the air in which each plane can theoretically protect the plane in front of him if attacked] and hold their ordnance, then go into the target and drop their ordnance.  Leaving the target, they would hit the deck and proceed to the water at the mouth of the Yalu River and form another Lufbery Circle until the MiG-15 attack ceased.  During the mission, he led by example and maintained the integrity of his force during the mission.  When the MiG-15s attacked the flights, the flights performed as briefed and no F-84s were lost.  The raid was selected to show the effectiveness of fighter-bombers under the nose of MiG-15s after B-29s had suffered unacceptable losses.  No F-84s were lost and all ordnance was expended on target.  The mission was significant since one week earlier the United Nations sent a number of aircraft to attack the hydro-electric plants on the Yalu River and no MiG-15s rose to protect them.  As a result, the Russian Commander was relieved of command.  On the day of the mission, the Russians thought it was another raid on the power plants and remembering the weeks before, were on alert and put 200 MiG-15s in the air.  The success of the mission exemplified what could be done by good leadership during the height of intense chaos in combat.  The mission was written-up by both sides as being one of the major raids of the Korean War, convincing the North Koreans they were not assured of winning the war, and returning them to the peace talks. 

March to August 1952 - 100 close-air-support missions to the front lines of the Korean War.  He distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in aerial conflict from April through August 1952.  During this period, he led flights of four aircraft on raids to destroy specific targets during over 100 bombing raids on close air support bombing, strafing, and napalm raids in, on, or near, the front lines in the Korean theatre of operations.  He had over 10 missions with a score of over 90 percent in all categories - an incredible achievement - as high as any during the Korean War.  In addition, he trained most of his squadron mates, many of whom had arrived without ever having fired a rocket or dropped a bomb.  He also checked the new flight and group leaders to prepare them for combat and certify them as ready.  He devised the first cruise control charts using rockets, bombs, and napalm, and gave lectures to the group on their use.  To improve coordination with the Mosquito aircraft and the Forward Air Controllers (FACs), he went to the front lines during the winter of 1951 - 1952 and was briefly FAC with the 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One).  The 1st Infantry Division was in the center of the front lines and bore the brunt of many major Chinese attacks.  As a result of his efforts, he had flight leaders that could proceed to any of the famous hills, from Hill 321 to Old Baldy, without opening a map.  After helping develop better tactics on the spot to handle the unusual snow coverage that winter, he flew out to the carrier Valley Forge to work with the Navy and Marine Corps on close air support in an effort to coordinate efforts in Korea.  He was also written-up in the 17 August 1952 Stars and Stripes, with a special citation by the 7th Division Commander who watched one of his strikes and stated that it was the best close support mission he has ever seen.

May through August 1952 - 102 combat missions.  He distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period May through August 1952, by flying 102 combat missions.  Of particular note is his 9 August 1952 attack on anti-aircraft gun batteries.  The mission was a typical group effort of 24 aircraft assigned to attack batteries on anti-aircraft guns around Sinanju.  It was in the north of Korea near the Yalu River in what was known as “MiG Alley,” and enemy aircraft were called-out in the area; however, none were encountered.  The flak was heavy and one aircraft did receive major damage but returned safely.

In support of his request, the applicant submits his personal statement, Congressional correspondence, recommendations from his former commander/Director of Combat Operations Fifth Air Force, narrative recommendations, proposed citations, a statement from his wingman on the 28 June 1952 mission, extracts from his personal copies of his military records to include flight records, mission reports, a copy of the only other DSC awarded in the wing, translated Russian mission reports for the cited missions, extracts of books written by the former North Korean and Soviet Commanders, photographs, and maps.

His former commander states that he is very familiar with the conditions, targets, and situations the applicant faced as Operations Officer of the 8th Squadron and as a Group and Squadron Leader for many of his 102 missions while assigned under his command.  During the period in question, all pilots were awarded the DFC upon their completion of a 100 combat mission tour.  Despite this policy, the applicant was never presented his DFC.

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).  Therefore, the following facts have been extracted from the documentation provided by the applicant.

Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, the applicant was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Air Force on 3 June 1949 and entered active duty.

During the period 25 February 1952 to 30 April 1952, he was assigned to the 8th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group, at Taegu AB, Korea, as an F-84E, Thunderjet, pilot and operations officer. During this period, he completed 102 combat missions, totaling 209 combat hours. On 1 May 1952, he was assigned as a flight commander and was promoted to the grade of captain on 7 September 1952.

The applicant’s War Department Form 66, Officer’s Qualification Record, indicates that Far East Air Force (FEAF) General Order 130, dated 29 March 1951, awarded him the Korean Service Medal and Headquarters, Fifth Air Force, General Order 453, dated 1 May 1952, awarded him the AM; however, neither medal was presented.

He volunteered for a second combat tour in Korea and on 2 November 1952, was assigned to the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, at Suwon AFB, Korea, as an F-86F, Saber, pilot.

During the four-day period from 21 through 24 January 1953, the applicant shot down five enemy MiG-15s, setting a record for becoming a jet Ace in the shortest period of time.  He was the 24th of the 38 Aces of the Korean War.

He transferred out of the 51st FIW on 25 January 1953, was sent stateside, and given the option of applying for a hardship discharge.

Headquarters, FEAF, General Order 76, dated 13 February 1953, gave the applicant official credit for destruction of three MiG-15 aircraft in aerial combat near Uiju, Korea, with one victory each on 22, 23 and 24 January 1953.

On 9 June 1953, he was released from assignment and duty under the provisions of AFR 36-12, paragraph 5b (Hardship); his resignation of his commission was accepted by the President; and he was honorably discharged from all appointments.  He completed four years and seven months of active service, of which two years, six months, and three days were foreign service.  The DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States, issued in conjunction with his 1953 separation indicates that he was awarded the DFC, AM, 3 OLC, and Korean Service Medal.

Headquarters, Fifth Air Force, General Order 453, dated 25 July 1953, awarded the applicant and five other first lieutenants, the DFC for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 28 June 1952.  Copies of the DFC citations awarded to three of these officers have been located at NPRC and indicate that two of the officers were awarded the DFC for leading their squadrons during the mission and the other for leading his flight.

Headquarters, FEAF, General Order 423, dated 5 December 1953, gave the applicant official credit for destruction of two MiG-15 aircraft in aerial combat near Insan-Dong, Korea, on 21 January 1953.

On 22 March 1985, the Chief of Staff awarded him the following decorations:

The SS for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Insan-Dong, Korea, on 21 January 1953.  Flying number two position in a flight of four F-86 aircraft, he sighted four MiG-15s and attacked one of them, scoring hits on the wing and tail section.  The aircraft was observed going straight down.  Minutes later, he sighted five MiG-15s and attacked one, hitting the wing roots, fuselage, and tail section.  The enemy aircraft made a turn left and was last observed in a steep dive with fuel streaming from the right wing.

The DFC, 1 OLC, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight near Uiju, Korea, on 22 January 1953, while leading a flight of four F-86 aircraft, he initiated a diving attack on one of a flight of two MiG-15s.  Once the aircraft was within range he fired, scoring hits on the wings, fuselage, and tail pipe sections.  The enemy aircraft was observed crashing into the ground.

The DFC, 2 OLC, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight near Uiju, Korea, on 23 January 1953, while flying number four position in a flight of four F-86 aircraft, he attached a MiG-15, scoring numerous hits and causing severe damage.  The enemy aircraft was observed in a vertical dive.

The DFC, 3 OLC, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight near Uiju, Korea, on 24 January 1953, while flying number four position in a flight of four F-86 aircraft, he was attached by a MiG-15.  The enemy aircraft overshot, placing himself directly in front of his aircraft.  He fired, scoring hits over the fuselage of the MiG-15.  The enemy aircraft was lasted observed in flames in a vertical dive.

The AM, 4 OLC, for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight with the 16th Fighter Interceptor Squadron from 2 November 1952 to 24 January 1953.  During this period, he demonstrated outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty in the successful accomplishment of these important fighter-interceptor missions, under extremely hazardous conditions.

During the period in question, the Distinguished Service Cross (DCS) was awarded to any member of the Air Force, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, who distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operation against an armed enemy of the United States.  According to the Far East Air Force (FEAF) Awards Programs 1950-1954, the criterion for such heroism was risk of life so extraordinary as to set the person apart from his comrades.  During the Korean conflict Far East Command (FEC) retained authority to award the medal.  During the period 25 June through 18 September 1952, FEC awarded a total of 16 DSCs.  On 19 September 1952, FEAF received authority to award the DSC to members of the US Armed Forces and awarded 21 DSCs.

The Silver Star (SS) is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity, is cited for gallantry in action, i.e., heroism of high degree involving risk of life, against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.  In addition, a SS was awarded upon the obtainment of five confirmed aerial victories.  On 11 July 1950, FEAF was granted authority to award this medal.  Authority for this medal was delegated to number Air Force commanders.  As of 10 February 1951, 19 SSs had been awarded.  As of 5 January 1953, 293 SSs had been awarded, of which 267 were awarded to personnel assigned to Fifth Air Force.

The DFC was established by Congress on 2 July 1926 and is awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.  During the period in question both heroism and extraordinary achievement had to be entirely distinctive involving operations that were not routine.  On 29 June 1950, authority for this medal was delegated to FEAC.

On 1 July 1950, FEAF established a policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of every 25 combat missions and the AM upon the completion of every five combat missions.  On 16 July 1950, the number of missions required for award of a DFC was increased to 35 missions and the number required for award of an AM was increased to 10.  On 20 August 1950, the total number of combat missions required for award of a DFC was increased to 50.  In addition, on 24 July 1950, the criteria for DFCs and AMs were changed to include the definition of a combat mission as “a directed aerial flight over enemy or enemy held territory where enemy opposition might develop at any time.” and AM were awarded upon the completion of a certain number of missions.  Such recommendations were to be further substantiated by direct referral to a specific sortie, the accomplishment of which fulfilled the requirement of extraordinary, meritorious achievements.  The manual release of bombs and the destruction of enemy aircraft did not automatically warrant award of the DFC.

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

The applicant’s records currently reflect that he has been awarded the SS, DFC, 3 OLC, and AM, 4 OLC. 

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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 error or injustice to warrant awarding the applicant three Silver Stars (SSs) and two Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFCs).  In this respect, we note the following:

a.	The applicant’s official military records are unavailable and are presumed to have been either lost in transit when his unit in Korea was deactivated and the records were sent to Japan or they were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).  However, the applicant has provided copies of his official military records.  These documents, to include the copies of the certificates and citations of the decorations the Chief of Staff awarded him in 1985 for his second tour of duty in Korea, will be used to reconstruct his military master personnel record (MPR).

b.	After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record, to include the former commander’s recommendation and translated Russian mission reports, we are convinced the applicant’s gallantry in action on 15 June and 4 July 1952, meets the criteria for award of the SS.  On 15 June 1952, he led a group-bombing effort to destroy specific targets at heavily defended Pyong Yang Airport East where Prisoners-of-War (POWs) had been embedded in strategic sites.  To assure the maximum safety of the POWs, napalm, rockets, and strafing were employed, requiring the attacking aircraft to come in low and slow making them extremely vulnerable to the dense ground fire.  Despite this, and with complete disregard for his own safety, he led a near-perfect attack, resulting in 100 percent coverage and 98 percent effectiveness.  On 4 July 1952, in spite of fierce enemy opposition and with complete disregard for his own safety, he led a group of 37 F-84s in a raid to strafe and deliver 7,000 gallons of napalm to the North Korean Military Academy located across the Yalu River from Antung, where approximately 1,200 MiG-15s were based.  We also note the squadron’s historical data report rendered during this period indicates that these mass fighter-bomber strikes were significant in that they established the ability of the Far East Air Force (FEAF) jet and propeller  aircraft to carry-out a variety of destructive missions.  In view of this, given the favorable recommendation of his former commander, and in view of his gallantry in action during these missions, we recommended he be awarded two additional oak leaf clusters to the SS.  We also note that during the period in question, a policy existed whereby a SS was awarded upon the credit of five aerial victory credits and obtainment of Ace status.  In view of this, and since the applicant was never awarded an additional oak leaf cluster to the SS for his five aerial victories, which he achieved in a record-setting four-day period, faster than any American pilot during the “jet-age,” we also recommend that he be awarded an additional oak leaf cluster to the SS for this momentous accomplishment.  The applicant requests award of the SS (basic) through Second Oak Leaf Cluster (2 OLC); however, since he was previously awarded the SS (basic) in 1985, we recommend he be awarded the SS First through Third Oak Leaf Clusters. 

	c.	Although the applicant requests award of the DFC for extraordinary achievement while participating in 102 combat missions, based on the criteria in effect at the time, he should actually receive two additional oak leaf clusters to the DFC.  In this respect, we note that on 20 August 1950, FEAF established a policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of every 50 combat missions.  In view of the applicant’s completion of a total of 102 combat missions, we recommend he be awarded two additional oak leaf clusters to the DFC for extraordinary achievement.

4.	Notwithstanding the above, insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to warrant favorable consideration of his request for award of the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and an additional SS for leading over 100 close-air-support missions.  We have thoroughly reviewed the evidence of record and are not persuaded that he has been the victim of an error or injustice to warrant awarding him the DSC for his actions on 28 June 1952.  On that date, while leading a group of 25 F-84s in the destruction of a target on a deep interdiction mission, his group was diverted to attack a truck convoy that a P-51 weather flight had spotted.  Despite heavy group fire and heavy low overcast weather conditions, his group destroyed 150 trucks, 50 fuel drums, 8 gun positions, and 150 enemy troops, accounting for 6 percent of the total trucks and gun positions destroyed by the group during from 1950 to 1953.  For their actions, the six other officers that led their squadrons all received the DFC for their actions.  For leading the group, the applicant was presented the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) by the 5th Air Force Commander, who stated that he did not have the authority to make a field decoration of the DSC and that Headquarters 5th Air Force in Tokyo would have to approve it, but that he “…had never been turned down yet.”  However, there is no evidence the DSC was approved and Headquarters 5th Air Force General Order 453, dated 25 July 1952, awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for extraordinary achievement on 28 June 1952.  As indicated by the 5th Air Force commander when he presented the applicant the DSC, he did not have the authority to approve the decoration.  Given the presumption of regularity in the operation of governmental affairs, and absent a showing the recommendation was improperly considered, it appears the DSC recommendation was not favorably considered and a lesser award, i.e., the DFC, was determined to be the more appropriate form of recognition.   With respect to his request for an additional SS for leading over 100 close-air-support missions, since these missions are included in the 102 total combat missions for which we are recommending that he be awarded two DFCs, there exists no basis upon which to favorably consideration this portion of his application.  To do otherwise, would constitute dual-recognition.  We also note that his former commander does not appear to support this portion of the application.

6.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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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.	He be awarded the Silver Star, First Oak Leaf Cluster (SS, 1 OLC) for gallantry in action on 15 June 1952.
	
	b.	He be awarded the SS, Second Oak Leaf Cluster (SS, 2 OLC) for gallantry in action on 4 July 1952.

	c.	He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster (DFC, 4 OLC) for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea during the period 5 March 1952 to 17 May 1952.

	d.	He be awarded the DFC, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster (DFC, 5 OLC), for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea during the period 21 May 1952 to 16 August 1952.

	e.	On 25 January 1953, he was awarded the SS, Third Oak Leaf Cluster (SS, 3 OLC), for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States by destroying his fifth enemy aircraft.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-01826 in Executive Session on 13 August 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	XXXXXXXXXX, Chair
	XXXXXXXXXX, Member
	XXXXXXXXXX, Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Jan 08, w/atchs.

                                   XXXXXXXXXX
                                   Acting Panel Chair