RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03063 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to include award of the Enlisted Aircrew Member Badge. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Although he was on flying status for ten years, orders awarding him the Enlisted Aircrew Badge were never issued. He was first placed on flying status in Oct 1951, while assigned to the 123rd Fighter Bomber Wing and was continuously assigned flying duties through Apr 1961. He would like the orders to accompany the wings he wore for nineteen years to validate his wearing them and to provide memoirs for his grandchildren. In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, electronic communiqué from the Air Force Retiree Services Section, and Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, copies of his DD Forms 214, Armed Forces of the United States – Report of Transfer or Discharge. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 13 Oct 1947 as an aircraft maintenance apprentice, Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 431X1A. He held that AFSC until he retired from the Air Force on 31 Jul 1969. On 21 Jan 1958, the applicant was awarded AFSC A43171A. The “A” prefix applies to airmen who hold a principal duty assignment in the AFSC and are required to fly “frequently and regularly.” They are placed in an indefinite flying status as long as they perform these duties and meet the physical requirements. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial. DPSIM states in part, that in accordance with AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Badges, paragraph 7.4.1.3, members participating in at least 10 combat missions as a primary aircrew member in a designated combat zone are permanently awarded the basic Aircrew Member Badge. The applicant does not provide flying status documentation or aeronautical orders qualifying him for an Aircrew Member Badge. The complete DPSIM evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant disagrees with the “Recommendation” to deny the award of the Aircrew Member Badge due to lack of adequate documentation. He was first placed on “flying status” in 1951 and remained so continuously until 1962. He is sure orders were issued in 1952 or 1953 awarding him the basic Aircrew Badge, although it is not reflected on his DD Form 214. He provides a description of his assignments for which he received flight pay. The recommendation to deny relief is based upon current criteria regarding award of aviation badges, and has little to do with how such awards were given 50 years ago. In the past, orders were published placing an airman on duty, which required one year of continuous flying status to be eligible for the award of an aviation badge. Senior wings required an airman to complete 2,000 flying hours and seven years of continuous flying duty. Although he met the criteria for the senior badge, enlisted flight records were rarely kept. He requested senior wings be awarded, but could not produce the required documentation to substantiate his claim. However, he is sure that orders were completed awarding him the initial aviation badge in 1952. His complete response is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ 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. After careful review of the available evidence, it appears the applicant was in fact eligible for the Aircrew Member Badge. In this respect, we note the evidence indicated the applicant served the requisite 36-months for award of the basic badge during his period of Aviation Service in accordance with AFM 35-13, Flying Status Aeronautical Ratings, Designations and Parachute Jump Status, dated 3 Jun 1957. Furthermore, evidence indicates he served as a First Priority Crew Member for over seven years and qualifies for the Senior Aircrew Member Badge. In view of the above it is our opinion that his records should be corrected to reflect award of the Senior Aircrew Member Badge as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Senior Aircrew Member Badge. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered in Docket number BC-2011-03063 in Executive Session on 19 Apr 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-2011- 03063: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 21 Jul 2011, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIM, dated 23 Feb 2011. Exhibit D. Letter, Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Feb 2012. Exhibit E. Rebuttal, Applicant, dated 6 Mar 2012.