RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-03898
		INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be amended to reflect award of the Air Medal (AM) and that he be credited with combat service during World War II (WWII).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His records should be corrected to reflect that he served in combat and was awarded the AM.  After enlistment, he was trained as a waist-gunner and assigned to Seventh Air Force, 396th Bomb Squadron (BS).  Once they reached the Gilbert Isles with the B-25s, he was placed with more experienced personnel.  He flew at least 10 – 15 missions in the Gilbert Isles.

He was then moved to the Mariana Isles, where he flew more missions; however, he cannot remember because he contracted the “Dengue Fever,” and was hospitalized for three to four months.  After being discharged from the hospital, he was able to rejoin his squadron, who was now in Okinawa.  While he was hospitalized, his squadron received the Air Medal, along with other awards.  He flew several more missions in Okinawa before the war ended.

He is now 86 years of age, and would like to get his records straightened out.  In the past, he did not care about the correction, because he was one of the fortunate ones who made it home in one piece.

In support of his appeal, the applicant submits a personal statement and two pictures taken during his period of service.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s master personnel records were destroyed by fire at the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC), in St. Louis, in 1973.  A review of the documents from his reconstructed records reveal the applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served in the Pacific Theater of Operation from 17 February 1943 to 28 January 1946, as a radio operator gunner, on B-25 airplanes.  The 396th BS record reflects the applicant on flying duty requiring regular and frequent participations in aerial flights; and VII Bomber Command B-25 Radio Operator-Gunner’s Combat Qualification Card confirms the applicant successfully completed the requirements and was rated as a Combat Radio Operator-Gunner on B-25 type airplanes.

His Separation Qualification Record reflects the applicant was separated on 28 January 1946, in the grade of staff sergeant.

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

During World War II, the Seventh Air Force had an established policy whereby an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bomber strike sorties or every 10 operational missions.  In 1943, the policy of awarding the DFC and AM based solely on the number of missions completed was discontinued.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, noting there are no special order, recommendation, proposed citation, or any other evidence provided by the applicant or located within his limited official military personnel file to support that he was submitted for the AM.

Prior to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 526, the timeline for submitting decorations was two years from the date of the act or achievement.  Based on current law and statute, this timeline has now been waived; however, the original or reconstructed written award recommendation is required.  All military decorations require a recommendation from a recommending official within the member’s chain of command at the time of the act or achievement, or someone with firsthand knowledge.  The recommending official must sign the recommendation.

The complete HQ AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reiterates his original contentions that he flew actual combat missions while assigned to the Pacific theater.  

In support of his appeal, he provides a copy of a Special Order, SQ O-33 and pictures to substantiate his claim. 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E.

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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 demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting a correction to the applicant’s request for award of the AM.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and that provided by the applicant, we note that Seventh Air Force had an established policy whereby an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bomber strike sorties or every 10 operational missions.  However, based on the documentation presented, we could not find conclusive evidence of the actual number of missions flown.  In this respect, we were not able to substantiate the applicant’s entitlement to the AM.  Should the applicant provide further documentation, to include the total number of missions flown, we would be inclined to reconsider his request for the AM.  Notwithstanding the above, in regards to the applicant’s request that he be credited with combat service during World War II; we note, while the evidence was not conclusive as to the number of missions flown, the record reflects while serving in the Pacific Theater, he participated in regular and frequent aerial flights during World War II.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected in regard to this portion of his request.  

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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 his WD AGO Form 100, Separation Qualification Record, be amended in Section 13, Summary of Military Occupation, to reflect in 1942, while serving as an aerial gunner on B-25 airplanes, he had regular and frequent participation in aerial flights in the Pacific Theater.  

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-03898 in Executive Session on 29 July 2009, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

XXXXXXXXXX, Panel 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 1 Nov 08, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Reconstructed Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 15 Jun 09,
                 with attachments.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Jul 09.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Jul 09, w/atchs.

                                   XXXXXXXXXX
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2008-03898

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that his WD AGO Form 100, Separation Qualification Record, be, and hereby is, amended in Section 13, Summary of Military Occupation, to reflect in 1942, while serving as an aerial gunner on B-25 airplanes, he had regular and frequent participation in aerial flights in the Pacific Theater.  

		XXXXXXXXXX
		Director
		Air Force Review Boards Agency