RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02775

							COUNSEL: NONE

							HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Silver Star medal.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His actions during his time aboard the “Irish Lassie” are deserving of the award.  

The applicant was the left blister gunner on the aircraft called “Irish Lassie”.  On 27 Jan 45, while flying over the coast of Japan, the “Irish Lassie”, and its contingent of 12 B-29s, were attacked by 40 enemy fighters.  In a suicide dive an enemy aircraft crashed into the left wing of the “Irish Lassie”, which recovered and continued its bombing run.  After the bombing run another enemy aircraft crashed into the tail of the “Irish Lassie”, sending it into a dive, before the pilot was able to level out the aircraft.  The applicant assisted in removing the injured tail gunner from the tail section of the aircraft.  After hours of flying to return to Saipan, while low on fuel and badly damaged, the aircraft prepared to make an emergency landing.  During approach the aircraft’s power failed and the aircraft crashed into the runway.  The applicant and aircrew packed themselves around the wounded men for protection during the crash.  After the crash landing, fearing fire, the aircrew quickly extricated the injured members.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former Air Corp private first class.  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisories at Exhibits C and D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  

The Silver Star may be awarded to members serving with the United States Armed Forces, who distinguished themselves, 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; or 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.  A review of limited official military personnel records does not verify award of the Silver Star, such as a signed certificate or Special Order.  

For reasonable consideration of the applicant’s request, he will need to submit a recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement, preferably from someone within the applicant’s chain of command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed citation, and eyewitness statements from those who can attest to the act/achievement.

The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

SAF/MRBP concurred with AFPC/DP3SP and recommends denying the application.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 29 Aug 17 for comment (Exhibit E), but has received no response. 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and SAF/MRBP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:  

The applicant be informed that the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:  

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5., considered Docket Number BC-2016-02775 in Executive Session on 15 May 18:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following regarding AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02775:

Exhibit A:  Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 28 Aug 15.
Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:  Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 23 Dec 16.
Exhibit D:  Advisory opinion, SAF/MRBP, dated 22 Aug 17.
Exhibit E:  Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 29 Aug 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.