RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01457
		INDEX NUMBER: 107.00

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to show that he received five additional Air Medals (AMs).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is owed five more AMs that he was awarded but not credited on his discharge.  He completed a total of 40 combat missions and was credited with one confirmed destruction of an ME-109.  He is the only member of his former aircrew that did not receive proper credit.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The National Personnel Records Center has been unable to locate the applicant’s records and it is presumed they were destroyed by fire in 1973.  Therefore, the following information has been extracted from the documentation submitted by the applicant.

The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served in the European, African, and Middle Eastern Theatres of Operation from 6 April 1943 through 4 February 1944, as an aerial gunner, with the 37th Bombardment Squadron.  His Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, issued in conjunction with his 11 September 1945 separation, reflects that he was awarded the AM, with four OLCs.

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

In 1942, the 12th Air Force had an established policy whereby an AM was awarded upon the completion of every five bomber missions and the destruction of an enemy aircraft.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, although they have verified the applicant was awarded the AM, with four oak leaf clusters, they were unable to find evidence that he was recommended for, or awarded five additional oak leaf clusters.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

His records have been destroyed by fire and as a result, his service-connected disability has been terminated.  However, he is not giving up on the five AMs he earned.  There are only three surviving members of his aircrew.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit D.

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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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  The National Personnel Records Center has been unable to locate applicant’s records and it is presumed they were destroyed by fire in 1973.  The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, in the absence of official documentation to substantiate the total number of combat missions he completed, we find insufficient documentary evidence has been presented to warrant awarding him additional Air Medals.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence that he completed a total of 40 combat missions, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.  Should the applicant provide statements from other crew members who served with him on the same combat mission flights and were awarded nine AMs, the Board will reconsider his request.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-01457 in Executive Session on 3 August 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 27 Apr 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 25 May 04.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 May 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, dated 3 Jun 04.