RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-02655 INDEX CODE:	107.00
COUNSEL:	NONE HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His commanding officer (now deceased) disregarded an individual request for a DFC for him and instead, extended the submission for an entire crew. He agrees with the Air Force that the commanding officer’s submission did not meet the DFC criteria and, with due respect to his former commander, he feels that he was in error when he failed to submit the original recommendation for him.

He was previously awarded the Air Medal (AM) and it should have been upgraded to the DFC.

In support of his request, the applicant provided statements in his own behalf, statements from initiator of the DFC, the copy of the original DFC recommendation, correspondence to and from the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC), and copies of Congressional responses.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant and other crewmembers were submitted for award of the DFC; however, all were disapproved except for three, which were downgraded to the AM (including the applicant’s). The applicant’s DFC submission was resubmitted to the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC) for reconsideration, and on 10 Jun 2008, SAFPC denied the request.

The DFC is awarded to any officer or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States who have distinguished her/himself in actual combat in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary  achievement  while  participating  in  an  aerial

flight, subsequent to 11 Nov 1918.” The decoration may also be given for an act performed prior to 11 Nov 1918, when the individual has been recommended for, but has not received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Distinguished Service Medal.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial in line with SAFPC’s decision to deny.

The complete AFPC/DPSIDR 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 29 Aug 08 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has not received a response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.
3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. 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. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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.

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2008-02655 in Executive Session on 30 October 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair 
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 5 Jul 08. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 15 Aug 08. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Aug 08.