RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00215 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Air Medal (AM) with the second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd BOLC). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was due to receive his third Air Medal. He was transferred out on a mission and was not presented the medal. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides congressional correspondence and documentation from his master personnel records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records were located in the area most heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973. Therefore, the dates of his service could not be verified. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility which can be found at Exhibit B. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The Air Medal was awarded to persons who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, subsequent to 8 September 1939, distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The Air Medal may also be awarded for combat or non-combat action in recognition of single acts of valor, heroism or merit while participating in aerial flight. Additionally, it may be conferred for sustained meritorious achievement in the performance of duties involving aerial flight. The applicant’s official military personnel records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the NPRC. After a thorough review of his limited records, which were provided by the applicant, there were no documents submitted to verify he was recommended or approved for the Air Medal with two BOLCs. The applicant’s request was not submitted in a timely manner as over 68 years have passed since he contends the awards were made. There is insufficient evidence to verify the applicant was awarded or recommended for the Air Medal. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit B. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 6 May 2013, for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit C). ________________________________________________________________ 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 an injustice and, as a result, we are inclined to recommend granting the applicant’s request. Although the applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 and no official documentation verifying the applicant was recommended for or approved for award of the AM w/2OLC, we believe that some consideration should be given to this applicant’s participation and personal sacrifice during WWII. Based on the applicant’s aerial participation during the Normandy invasion we find his entitlement to the AM 2nd BOLC appropriate and offer the applicant recognition for his contributions during a momentous period in our nation’s history. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 1 October 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, second Bronze oak Leaf Cluster. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered BCMR Docket Number BC-2013-00215 in Executive Session on 17 October 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 Sep 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 Apr 13. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 12. 1 2