RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04213 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His father be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Although his father was recommended for the DFC, which was approved by the squadron through group levels, Fifth Air Force, did not act on the recommendation due to the war’s closure. During the period in question his father served in the Pacific theatre, as a P-38 pilot, and completed 117 combat missions; supporting operations from New Guinea, through the Philippines, and ultimately to Japan, totaling 323 combat hours. In support of the appeal, the applicant submits copies of his father WD AGO 53, Military Record and Report of Separation/Certificate of Service, and the DFC recommendation package. Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The member served with the Army Air Corps from 8 February 1944 to 7 January 1946, as a P-38 “Lightning” pilot. During the period 28 August 1944 to 25 October 1945, he was assigned to the Ninth Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force, and participated in the Air Offensive Japan, China Defensive, China Offensive, New Guinea, Western Pacific, South Philippines, and Luzon campaigns, completing a total of 323 combat hours. He was awarded the Air Medal, with three Oak Leaf Clusters. On 19 September 1945, the member was recommended for the DFC for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight from 1 September 1944 to 5 August 1945. On 24 September 1945, the Group Commander approved the recommendation. On 2 October 1945, the Commander of the Headquarter V Fight Command approved the recommendation and forwarded to the Far East Air Force Commander. During the period in question, Fifth Air Force had an established policy of awarding a DFC upon the completion of 200 combat operational hours. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial and states, in part, that although the applicant has provided a signed recommendation dated 19 September 1945, with a recommendation of approval, a proposed citation has not been provided. In addition, there is no official documentation verifying the DFC was officially- approved nor do his military records include the DFC certificate, citation, or special orders. Under the Fiscal Year 1996 National Defense Authorization Act (FY 96 NDAA), Section 526, which was enacted into law on 10 February 1996, the original or reconstructed written award recommendation signed by someone, other than the member himself, preferably the commander or supervisor at the time of the act of [sic] achievement, with firsthand knowledge of the member’s accomplishments and a proposed citation are required. Although the applicant provides signed recommendation, he provides no proposed citation or evidence the recommendation was approved. The complete AFPC/DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit B. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In a response submitted through his Congressman’s office, the applicant states the recommendation to award his father the DFC did meet the criteria established at the time, as indicated in the original recommendation. To the best of his knowledge, all members of his father’s chain of command are now deceased. Therefore, there is no way he can solicit substantive documentation concerning the original recommendation. In further support of the appeal, he provides a proposed citation. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ 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. In this respect, we note that during the period 28 August 1944 to 25 October 1945, the applicant’s father was assigned to the Ninth Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force, as a P-38 “Lightning” pilot and participated in the Air Offensive Japan, China Defensive, China Offensive, New Guinea, Western Pacific, South Philippines, and Luzon campaigns, completing a total 323 of combat hours. He was recommended for award of the DFC for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight from 1 September 1944 to 5 August 1945. On 24 September 1945, the Group Commander approved the recommendation and on 2 October 1945, the Commander of the Headquarter V Fight Command approved the recommendation and forwarded it to the Far East Air Force Commander. However, we find no evidence as to the outcome of the recommendation. The applicant contends the recommendation was not acted upon at the war’s conclusion, as were all promotions and award/decoration recommendations, since the Fifth Air Force simply chose to put their focus on the mammoth occupation efforts. We also note that during the period in question, the Fifth Air Force had an established policy of awarding a DFC upon the completion of 200 combat operational hours. In view of this and noting the applicant completed a total of 323 combat operational hours, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the period 1 September 1944 to 5 August 1945, for extraordinary achievement during sustained aerial flights as a P-38 pilot in the Pacific theatre. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number in Executive Session on 12 April 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered in BC-2011-04213: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Aug 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 15 Dec 11. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Jan 12. Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 17 Jan 12, w/atch. AFBCMR BC-2011-04213 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, it is directed that: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the period 1 September 1944 to 5 August 1945, for extraordinary achievement during sustained aerial flights as a P-38 pilot in the Pacific theatre. Director Air Force Review Boards Agency