RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00988
	COUNSEL:  None

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  Not Indicated

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214 reflects that he was TDY in Japan with the 508th Fighter Squadron from February to June 1953.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He wants to be eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant’s DD Form 214 indicates that he entered active duty on 9 July 1951, was released from active duty on 8 July 1955 in the grade of airman first class and according to Block 26, he did have 2 months and 29 days of foreign service. However, there are no documents available to confirm the location where this Foreign Service occurred. 

On 13 April 2004, AFPC/DPAPP1 asked the applicant to provide some documentation to substantiate his assertion that he had served in Japan.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP1 recommended denial. The applicant did not furnish any documents that support a TDY to Japan from February to June 1953.  

AFPC/DPAPPI complete evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 4 June 2004 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. The applicant clearly had 2 months and 29 days of Foreign Service. The circumstantial evidence appears to indicate that this time was served in Japan.  While the applicant has not provided conclusive evidence that this Foreign Service took place in Japan, there is no evidence proving it occurred anywhere else. At the time of his separation, foreign locations were typically not indicated on DD Form 214s. The available evidence appears to weigh more in the applicant’s favor and, as we see no harm in amending his DD Form 214 to reflect service in Japan, as an exception to policy, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below.  

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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 his DD Form 214, issued in conjunction with his honorable release from active duty on 8 July 1955, be annotated to include the comment “Served in Japan” in Block 38, Remarks, as an exception to policy.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-00988 in Executive Session on 27 July 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Mar 04.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 2 Jun 04.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Jun 04.

AFBCMR BC-2004-00988

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 XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, issued in conjunction with his honorable release from active duty on 8 July 1955 be annotated to include the comment “Served in Japan” in Block 38, Remarks, as an exception to policy.