RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02645 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

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THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His late father and the crew of the “Night Prowler” be entitled 
to award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for a bombing 
mission on 15 Jul 45. 

 

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

As documented in the “Herb Bach Diary,” the record shows that 
both the DFC and the Silver Star were awarded to the aircraft 
commander during that mission. The crew, including his father, 
was promised that they would all receive the DFC. The aircraft 
during this 17 hour mission, on 15 Jul 45, was piloted by both 
the commander and his father. The success of the mission 
depended on both of them in bringing the crew back safely, with 
only three engines, full of flak, and no remaining ammunition. 

 

His father always talked about the mission; however, no proof 
was ever found until the “Herb Bach Diary,” and the story of 
“Jesse O,” was found on the internet. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his 
father’s death certificate; contact information for the 
crewmembers; a printout entitled the “Memoirs of Herbert C. 
Bach”; a copy of the decedent’s WD AGO Form 53-98, Military 
Record and Report of Separation, issued in conjunction with his 
25 Dec 45 discharge, and an inquiry through his Member of 
Congress. 

 

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

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The decedent was in the Army Air Corps and served in the Asiatic 
Pacific Theatre of Operation from 20 Jun 45 to 25 October 45, as 
a pilot. He was awarded the Air Medal (AM) for meritorious 

 
achievement while participating in aerial flights from 10 Jul – 
29 Jul 45. 

 

The DFC may be awarded to any persons who, after 16 April 1917, 
while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed 
Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary 
achievement while participating in aerial flight. Heroism or 
achievement must be entirely distinctive, involving operations 
that are not routine. The DFC is not awarded for sustained 
operational activities and flights. 

 

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THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial, stating, in part, the next of 
kin (NOK) has not provided a recommendation from someone within 
the applicant’s chain of command who has firsthand knowledge of 
the incident, a proposed citation, chain of command endorsement, 
or eyewitness statement(s). Furthermore, the NOK cannot 
recommend the entire crew for entitlement to the DFC. 
Additional crew members will need to submit individual 
recommendations in accordance with the 1996 National Defense 
Authorization Act (NDAA) rules. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 1 Oct 10 for review and comment within 30 days. As 
of this date, no response has been received by this office 
(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. We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission, including the diary 
recalling the events during his father’s missions on 15 July 
1945. The acts of heroism and personal sacrifice the deceased 
former member endured for our nation is noted; however, based on 
our review of the evidence of record and the documentation 
submitted in support of the appeal, we do not find it sufficient 

 
to recommend award of the DFC. Therefore, in the absence of 
evidence to the contrary, we must recommend denial of the 
applicant’s request. 

 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-02645 in Executive Session on 7 April 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 29 Jul 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 13 Sep 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Oct 10.