RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01687
		
	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE	

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be promoted to the grade of captain. 
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His rank of 1st lieutenant should be changed to captain according to his records reflecting him as a navigator.

In support of his request, applicant provided a copy of WD AGO Form 100, Separation Qualification Record, list of missions flown, GO-164, Distinguished Flying Cross, and letters of recommendation.  

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant's military personnel records were destroyed by fire in 1973.  Therefore, the facts surrounding his service and separation from the Air Force cannot be verified.  

Based on available documentation, the applicant entered in the Army Air Corps on 24 February 1944 as a 2nd lieutenant.  He was honorably discharged on 18 November 1945 in the grade of 1st lieutenant after serving 1 year and 14 days of total active duty. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO recommended denial and states that there is insufficient documentation to support the applicant’s claim that he was eligible/recommended for promotion to captain.  We have no recommendation should the board elect to grant relief to the applicant over our objection. Normally officers were not recommended for promotion, nor was a recommendation forwarded or approved by a commander exercising promotion authority unless a position vacancy existed under the jurisdiction of the commander concerned in the grade to which promotion was recommended.  In addition, officers were not recommended for promotion until they reached the minimum TIG requirements.  We cannot determine the applicant’s promotion eligibility for captain, as we do not know when he was promoted to first lieutenant.  

AFPC/DPPPO complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and stated that after flying two missions, he was reassigned to the Lackey crew and he was designated as a lead crew.  A lead crew was requested to fly 30 missions to complete its tour of duty.  When he joined the lackey crew, they had already completed seven missions and he had two.  When they finished their 30 missions, he still had five missions to fly to complete his tour of duty.  He was then transferred to the Kenny crew.

On 29 July 1944, the pilot, XXXX XXXXXX, was promoted from 1st lieutenant to captain and assigned as flight commander and the bombardier and he was promoted from 2nd lieutenant to 1st lieutenant and assigned as flight bombardier and flight navigator.  All three officers were promoted from having flown 15 lead missions.  After this promotion, he flew another 11 lead missions as wing and lead navigator and he was to receive the promotion to captain for this.  This is the promotion he is asking for which he is entitled.

As a group, wing navigator, his responsibility was to lead the group and wing of planes to the designated target and return them to their bases.  He was able to accomplish all but one mission.  When you are flying as a lead navigator on a B-17 bomber, you are not promoted by how long you held that rank, but what you accomplished while you were in combat.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E. 

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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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case to include his own statement that he refused the promotion to captain for personal reasons; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  It appears that the discerning factor in this case, is that there is insufficient documentation to support the applicant’s claim that he was eligible or recommended for promotion to the grade of captain.  In view of the above, we find no basis upon which to favorably consider this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-01687 in Executive Session on 4 January 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149 undated, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Available Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 15 Oct 04.
	Exhibit D.	 Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Oct 04
    Exhibit E.  Applicant’s Response, dated 9 Nov 04.