RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05942 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) medal. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He should receive the DFC for his participation in an aerial mission on 31 Dec 44. He was shipped out before the award was presented. Other members of his crew received the DFC for their participation in said mission. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his Discharge Certificate, a letter from his former crew member, DFC narrative for a fellow crew member, photographs, an article pertaining to the 31 Dec 44 mission, and an expanded statement. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant's military personnel records are unavailable. He was asked to provide copies of any official military records in his possession for use in evaluating his case. In response, the applicant provided a personal statement and excerpts of his military personnel records, which is at Exhibit B. The documentation provided by the applicant reflects he served as a tail gunner during the period in question. He was assigned to the 337th Bomb Squadron and on 8 Aug 45 was honorably discharged from the Army of the United States. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibit C and F. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: SAF/MRBP recommends denial noting the applicant did not provide supporting evidence such as his flight records, crew member logs, or DFC narrative or citation. The documentation provided was not sufficient to support award of the DFC. The DFC is awarded to any service member who, after 6 Apr 17, while serving with the Armed Forces, distinguished themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In response the applicant provides copies of his flight logs and flight records reflecting the number of missions he flew. He also provided an eyewitness statement and photograph from a crew member who states the applicant flew 35 missions and participated in the aerial mission on 31 Dec 44. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: SAF/MRBP recommends approval noting the flight records and eyewitness statement substantiates the applicant’s eligibility for the DFC. The Eighth Air Force’s 3rd Bombardment Division criteria for the DFC as of 28 Nov 44 was the heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty while participating in aerial flight; and the extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight must be evidenced by accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his comrades who have not been so recognized. In addition, the “Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal Criteria in the Army Air Forces in World War II,” the Director of Personnel of the 3rd Bombardment Division, Eighth Air Force stated “The unusually small number of DFC’s awarded to the 96th Bombardment Group indicates that group has been very poor in their administration of awards.” In fact, “…six groups that became operational after the 96th, one as late as nine months after, all have been awarded more non-automatic DFC’s than the 96th.” A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit F. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 18 Mar 14, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. ________________________________________________________________ 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 an injustice. The applicant contends he should be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his participation in aerial mission over Hamburg, GE on 31 Dec 44. He further contends he was shipped out after the mission and never received the DFC. After a thorough review of the applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal response to the advisory opinion rendered in this case, we believe that a preponderance of the evidence supports award of the DFC. In this respect, we note the applicant provided his personal flight logs and an eyewitness statement from his copilot attesting to the applicant’s participation in the 31 Dec 44 aerial mission. In view of the above, and in light of the affirmative recommendation of SAF/MRBP, we recommend that his records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 31 Dec 44, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, while serving as an aerial gunner in a B-17 bomber over Hamburg, Germany. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-05942 in Executive Session on 27 Mar 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member r, Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 May 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Available Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBP, dated 30 Dec 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 7 Jan 14, w/atch. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 25 Jan 14, w/atchs. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBP, dated 18 Mar 14. Exhibit G. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 18 Mar 14, w/atch. Panel Chair