RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:	BC-2008-02548 INDEX CODE:	107.00
COUNSEL:	NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for actions during World War II (WW II).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
While he was never awarded the DFC, his records reflect that he qualified for the award.

In support of his appeal, the applicant has provided a personal statement, copies of flight records and a letter from the Texas Veterans Commission counselor.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps on 8 February 1944. He began his pilot training at Harlingen, TX, in the B-24 aircraft. The applicant was awarded the Air Medal with 5 Bronze Stars, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with 3 Bronze Service Stars, the World War II Victory Medal and the Honorable Lapel pin. On 15 April 1945, the applicant was separated from the military after serving
1 year, 1 month, and 6 days of active military service.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial and states that after a thorough review of the applicant's limited reconstructed military personnel and medical records, they were unable to find supporting documentation in his records to substantiate award of the DFC decoration based on missions flown.

DPSIDR’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 12 September 2008, for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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.	Suf f i ci ent    r el evant    evi dence    has     been     pr esent ed     t o demons t r at e t he exi st ence of an  er r or  or  i nj ust i ce  war r ant i ng  t he awar d     of      t he     Di st i ngui shed     Fl yi ng     Cr oss.      Af t er     car ef ul l y r evi ewi ng  t hi s  appl i cat i on,  we  not e  t hat  document at i on  pr ovi ded by  t he  appl i cant  i ndi cat es  he  di d,  i ndeed,   qual i f y  f or   t he  awar d of    t he    DFC    based    on    mi ssi ons    f l own.    We    di d     t ake     i nt o consi der at i on  AFPC/ DPSI DR  vi ew  t hat  he  was  not  ent i t l ed   t o   t he DFC;  howev er  i n  vi ew  of  t he  f or egoi ng  and  i n  r ecogni t i on  of  hi s ser vi ce    t o    t he    Nat i on,    i t    i s    our    opi ni on    t hat    any    doubt sur r oundi ng    hi s    el i gi bi l i t y    f or    awar d   of    t he   DFC   shoul d   be r esol ved  i n  t he  appl i cant ' s   f avor .      Ther ef or e,   we  r ecommend  hi s r ecor ds  be  cor r ect ed  t o  t he  ext ent   i ndi cat ed  bel ow.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 1 December 1945, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot of B-24 bombers on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2008-02548in Executive Session on 9 December 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair 
Member
Member

All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The following documentary evidence with regard to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-02548 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 28 Jun 08, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 3 Sep 08, w/atch. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Sep 08.