RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-04065
		
   						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Silver Star (SS) Medal. 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was nominated for the SS in 1945 for his participation in a World War II bombing mission on 23 Feb 45, but the decoration never made it into his official records.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 3 Jul 42.  

On 18 Jan 46, the applicant was provided a Certificate of Service validating his service with the 310th Bombardment Group during the period 3 Jul 42 through 18 Jan 44.  

According to the archivists of the Air Force Historical Research Agency:  

1.  On 13 Nov 44, the applicant was transferred to HQ 310 Bombardment Group as Assistant Operations Officer.

2.  On 10 Jan 45, the applicant was promoted to the rank of Major.

3.  On 23 Feb 45, the 310 Bombardment Group bombed the railroad bridge at Dogna, Italy. 

4.  In June 1945, the applicant returned to the United States.

On 18 Jan 46, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 6 months, and 15 days of active service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C, D, and E.

AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA/RS) does not make a recommendation, but indicates others in the applicant’s unit received the SS award for similar deeds.  By Jun 45, the exodus of personnel from the European Theater of Operation was very great.  Administrative paperwork in the AFHRA for the applicant’s unit simply ceases after Jun 45.  The idea the applicant’s award was simply lost or overlooked cannot be discounted.  Even more so when others in his unit received the SS medal for similar deeds and were approved about the same time his award package was submitted.  It is obvious the 310th Bombardment Group Commander submitted other successful SS packages, and there is nothing to indicate this one would have been denied based upon the citations of the successful ones noted in the attached historical analysis. 
 
A complete copy of the AFHRA/RS evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSID does not make a recommendation. 

The Silver Star (SS) Medal is the third highest military valor decoration that can be awarded to a person serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces.  The SS may be awarded to any individual while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, who distinguishes himself or herself by gallantry in action under any of the following circumstances:  while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.  The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.  The SS may be awarded posthumously.

The Special Order is the official source documentation of award of the SS.  The applicant provided both a summary for award of the SS and a proposed citation for the SS, both dated 12 Jun 45 and containing the signature block of his Group Commander.  However, a thorough review of the applicant’s records did not find any evidence verifying he was awarded the SS.  Request the Air Force Decorations Board’s (SAF/PC) advice on the merits of the applicant’s request.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D.

SAF/MRBP recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  AFHRA/RS determined the recommendation and citation were consistent with other approved decorations submitted by the 310th Bombardment Group Commander.  They also noted the applicant’s administrative records from the Bombardment Group “simply ceases after June 1945.”  The AFHRA memo also notes there is nothing in the existing records that indicates this recommendation would have been denied.  They concur with AFHRA/RS’s analysis, and recommend approval.   
 
A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

In further support of his initial request, the applicant’s daughter submitted a personal note, in his behalf, stating she is very pleased with the OPR advisories, and asking the Board to expedite the case conclusion because her father is approaching his 97th birthday.  (Exhibit G)   

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 error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission, to include the rebuttal to the evaluations, in judging the merits of the case.  We reviewed the complete evidence of record to determine whether we conclude the applicant has been the victim of an error or an injustice and based upon our own independent review of the evidence submitted, we have determined the applicant has established he served with the 310th Bombardment Group and participated in the bombing of the railroad bridge at Dogna, Italy in Feb 45.  The evidence provided supports the contention he was nominated for the Silver Star (SS) medal in 1945 for his participation in a World War II bombing mission.  In this respect we note the detailed actions ascribed to the applicant in the proposed citation.  Additionally noted is the Air Force Historical Research Agency archivist’s comments that others in the applicant’s unit received the SS medal for similar deeds and were approved about the same time his award package was submitted.  We are convinced, the supposition the applicant’s award was simply lost or overlooked cannot be discounted.  Furthermore we agree it is obvious the 310th Bombardment Group Commander submitted other successful SS packages, and there is nothing to indicate the applicant’s package would have been denied based upon the proposed citation.  Therefore, In view of the totality of the circumstances in this case, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as indicated below.	

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show on 12 June 1945 he was awarded the Silver Star. 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04065 in Executive Session on 21 Jun 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 24 Aug 12.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFHRA/RS, 30 Mar 16. w/atchs. 
Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 14 Jan 15.
	Exhibit E.  Memorandum, SAF/MRBP, dated 25 Apr 16.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 May 16.
	Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Jun 16.