RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03790 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The deceased former service member be awarded the Army Distinguished Unit Badge and the Navy/Marine Distinguished Unit Badge. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The deceased former service member is entitled to the Army Distinguished Unit Badge and the Navy/Marine Distinguished Unit Badge because he was assigned to the 11th Bombardment Group during World War II during the qualifying period for these awards. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The deceased former service member’s military personnel records indicate he enlisted in the Regular Army Air Corps on 27 Jun 42. According to his WD AGO Form 53-55, he participated in the Central Pacific Air Offensive Japan Eastern Mandated Western Pacific Campaigns from 8 May 43 to 16 Apr 45 and was discharged on 26 Sep 45 as a member of the 11th Bomb Group. The 431st Bombardment Squadron was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for the period of 31 Jul 42 to 30 Nov 42. On 10 Jan 57, the DUC was re-designated as the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) which is attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating that after a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record and documentation provided, they were unable to verify the service member served with the unit during the qualifying periods of the requested awards. The applicant served with the 431st Bombardment Squadron, 11th Bombardment Group between 1 Nov 43 and 21 Oct 44; however, said squadron was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation and Navy Distinguished Unit Citation for the periods 31 Jul 42 through 30 Nov 42 and 7 Aug 42 through 9 Dec 42, respectively. Therefore, as the qualifying periods of the requested awards were prior to the applicant’s service with his unit, he is ineligible for either award. A review of the applicant’s records revealed that he should have been awarded the Good Conduct Medal (GCM), American Campaign Medal (ACM), and World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM) and his records will be corrected administratively by AFPC/DPSOY upon the Board’s final decision. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 10 Dec 12 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the award of the Good Conduct Medal (GCM), American Campaign Medal (ACM), and the World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM), they have taken action to correct his records administratively. Therefore, in view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis for us to recommend granting relief beyond that accomplished administratively. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03790 in Executive Session on 12 Mar 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Aug 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 19 Nov 12. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Dec 12.