RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04412 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her deceased father be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Her father participated in the Battle of Burp Gun Corner in March 1945. He was a second lieutenant and a Glider Pilot in the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group. All living members of his unit received the Bronze Star Medal in 1995; however, her father passed away in 1990 and was not awarded the Bronze Star. In support of the appeal, the applicant submits a personal statement, her birth certificate, the member’s death certificate, letter of support, news articles, award recommendation, DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, WD AGO 53-98, Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service and other supporting documentation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The deceased member retired from the Air Force on 31 July 1969 in the grade of lieutenant colonel. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility which is contained at Exhibit C. _______________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends approval. There was no official documentation verifying the decedent was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. However, based on the documentation provided and the fact that the decedent is confirmed to have been a glider pilot assigned to the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group we conclude he should have been included in the original award approval in 1995. The applicant provided a letter of recommendation for the Bronze Star Medal from a former Air Force Chief of Staff. The decedent was awarded the Air Medal in May 1945 for meritorious service while assigned to the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group. The Air Medal citation describes how pilots of troop carrier gliders assisted Allied troops by supplying combat equipment near the Rhine on 24 March 1945. Several online sources echo the story of the decedents Air Medal in depth and refer to the battles as Operation Varsity and/or the Battle at Burp Gun Corner. The Air Force Magazine states in March 1995 that the Air Force Chief of Staff learned from a retired major of the heroic actions of these glide pilots turned infantry and directed the appropriate awards be made to those who took part in the fighting. There were 4 officers who were awarded the Silver Star and all others who fought in this battle were awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 17 February 2013, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ 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 error or injustice. We took note of the applicant’s complete submission to include the Air Force office of primary responsibility assessment and agree with their recommendation. The applicant has submitted evidence to substantiate her father’s entitlement to the BSM for his participation in Battle of Burp Gun Corner. In recognition to the decedent’s service to the nation, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that WD AGO 53-98, Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service, Item 29, Decorations and Citations, issued in conjunction with his 21 November 1945 separation, be amended to include the Bronze Star Medal. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered BCMR Docket Number BC-2012-04412 in Executive Session on 18 June 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The following documentary was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Jun 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 Jan 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Feb 13.