RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-02293
		INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded two additional Air Medals (AMs).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Based on the Eighth Air Force established policy of awarding an AM upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions and since he completed a total of 36 combat missions, he should be awarded two additional AMs.  He is aware that a few former crewmembers have received additional AMs that they should have received during the 1944-1945 timeframe.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a statement from his former aircraft navigator and a list of his combat missions.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served as a B-24, Liberator, airplane commander in the European Theatre of Operation.  He completed a total of 36 combat missions.

The AM is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

During World War II, the Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of 35 heavy bomber missions and an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions.

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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 probable error or injustice warranting award of additional oak leaf clusters to the AM.  In this respect, we note the applicant completed a total of 36 combat missions while assigned to the Eighth Air Force as a B-24 airplane commander.  We also note that during the contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bombardment missions.  We have, on previous occasions, favorably considered similar appeals from former members of the applicant’s aircrew.  In support of the appeal, the applicant has provided a recommendation from his former navigator.  In view of this, and given the total number of missions the applicant completed, we believe he should be awarded two additional AMs.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that:

	a.	On 2 January 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as airplane commander on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

	b.	On 28 January 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as airplane commander on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-02293 in Executive Session on 30 August 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

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

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Jul 04, w/atchs.

AFBCMR BC-2004-02293

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 (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that: 

	a.	On 2 January 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as airplane commander on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

	b.	On 28 January 1945, he was awarded the Air Medal, Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as airplane commander on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.