RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03901
		INDEX CODE:  110.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His general discharge be upgraded honorable.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His discharge took place 45 years ago and he would like to have it upgraded.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant’s military records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The applicant submitted a similar request in January 2003 and the Board staff informed the applicant in February 2003, that his application could not be processed due to the fact his records were not available and he did not provide documentation verifying that he was in the Air Force.

The DD Form 214 provided by the applicant reflects he entered active duty on 7 January 1957 for a period of four years.  The applicant was discharged on 8 October 1959 with a general discharge.  He served two years, eight months and eight days of active service.

Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of investigation, Washington, D.C., indicated on the basis of the data furnished they were unable to locate an arrest record (Exhibit B).

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 16 June 2005, the Board staff requested the applicant provide documentation regarding his military service (Exhibit E).

In response to a request for post-service documentation, the applicant states the DD Form 214 he submitted is the only documentation he has regarding his military service.

He states he was absent from his post which resulted in a Summary Court-Martial and his receiving a general discharge.  He further states he served as an assistant crew chief on a B-47 aircraft.  The long hours and the hot tarmac took a toll on his physical body.  He never understood why he experienced so much agony during that time until his discharge physical revealed he was flat footed.  His Air Force boots offered virtually no support to his fallen arches.

He further states, while this may be a lame excuse, he feels compelled to express his defense as he believes he should have never been admitted into the Air Force.  Although induction physicals were thorough, he guesses they never expected flat feet on a seventeen year old.  He now wears an appliance to alleviate the discomfort he felt on the flightline.  He also was trained as draftsman which allowed him not to be on his feet.

He is now 65 years old, married with three grown children.  He has a commercial pilot’s license.  He flies missionary support work to Central America on a regular basis (Exhibit F).

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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.  It appears the applicant’s personnel files were destroyed by fire in 1973; therefore, based on the presumption of regularity in the conduct of government affairs and without evidence to the contrary, we must assume that the servicemember’s separation was proper and in compliance with appropriate directives.  Nevertheless, the Board finds that in view of the applicant’s apparent successful transition to civilian life, and considering that the discharge is over 46 years old, it serves no useful purpose to the Air Force or society in general to continue the nature of his discharge at this late date.  Therefore, the Board 
is of the opinion that upgrading his discharge to honorable, based on clemency, would be appropriate and this we so recommend.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 8 October 1959, he was honorably discharged and furnished an Honorable Discharge Certificate.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-03901 in Executive Session on 4 August 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 4 May 05, w/atchs
    Exhibit B.  FBI Report.
    Exhibit C.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Jan 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 3 Feb 03, w/atch.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 16 Jun 05, w/atch.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, undated.

								

AFBCMR BC-2002-03901

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to           , be corrected to show that on 8 October 1959, he was honorably discharged and furnished an Honorable Discharge Certificate.