RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-02294
		INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), the First Oak Leaf Cluster to the DFC (DFC, 1 OLC), and the Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal (AM, 5 OLC).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The Eighth Air Force had a policy of awarding a DFC upon the completion of a tour of combat missions or the completion of 10 to 12 lead missions, and AMs upon the completion of every 5 combat missions.  During the period in question, he was told by a major at base headquarters that upon returning stateside, he would receive the DFC for his completion of a tour of 32 combat missions and an oak leaf cluster to the DFC for his completion of 14 lead missions.  However, due to a clerical error, he never received the decorations.  In 1945, he inquired regarding the promised decorations and was told they would be the subject of another communication; however, he received no further correspondence.  He also never received the AM, 5 OLC, for his completion of his last five missions.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits statements from his former commander of the 44th Bombardment Group recommending him for the decorations, 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 in the European Theatre of Operation from 24 May 1944 to 29 November 1944 as a B-24, Liberator, navigator.  He completed a total of 32 combat missions and 14 lead combat missions.  He was awarded the Air Medal, with Four Oak Leaf Clusters (AM, 4 OLC).

The DFC was established by Congress on 2 July 1926 and is awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.  The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty.

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

During World War II, the 8th Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of tour of combat duty, and an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five heavy bomber missions.  In 1942, the length of a tour was the completion of 25 combat missions.  In 1944, the tour length was increased to 35 combat missions, and the number of combat missions required for award of an additional AM was increased to six.  In 1946, the policy of awarding the DFC and AM based solely on the number of missions completed was discontinued.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be considered on its merits and a conclusive decision be rendered by the Board.  AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that there is no indication in his records that he was recommended for award of the DFC; DFC, 1 OLC; and AM, 5 OLC while on active duty.  On 14 August 1946, General sent a memorandum to all Theater Commanders which revised the policy for award of the DFC.  Under the revised policy, the DFC could be awarded for acts of heroism in combat flight or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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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.  In this respect, we note the applicant completed a tour of 32 combat missions and was lead navigator on 14 missions while assigned to the Eighth Air Force as a B-24 navigator.  We also note that during the contested period, Eighth Air Force had an established policy whereby a DFC was awarded upon the completion of a tour of duty and an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five combat missions.  In support of the appeal, the applicant has provided recommendations from the former 44th Bombardment Group, who states that in addition to the above policy, there was an established policy of awarding the DFC for completion of 10 to 12 lead missions.  In view of this statement, and given the total number of missions the applicant completed, and the number of missions he completed as lead navigator, 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 29 November 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Navigator on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

	b.	On 2 December 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Lead Crew Navigator on B-24 airplanes on fourteen (14) combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

	c.	On 10 December 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Navigator 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-2004-02294 in Executive Session on 30 August 2004 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 16 Jul 04, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 26 Aug 04.

AFBCMR BC-2004-02294

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 29 November 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Navigator on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

		b.	On 2 December 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Lead Crew Navigator on B-24 airplanes on fourteen (14) combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.

		c.	On 10 December 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for extraordinary achievement, while serving as a Navigator on B-24 airplanes on many bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.