RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-03186 INDEX CODE: 108.09 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO __________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was commissioned as a second lieutenant (2Lt) in the Army Air Corps. __________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He earned a commission as a 2Lt as a result of completing the B-29 Flight Engineer Course. In support of his application, the applicant provides a personal statement, discharge documents, and certificates of appreciation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. __________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 30 March 1943, the applicant enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was subsequently called to active duty on 6 April 1943 in the grade of private (E-1). Following completion of basic training, he completed the Airplane Mechanics Course at Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina; B-29 Flight Engineer Course at Amarillo Field, Texas; B-29 Flight Engineer at Hondo Field, Texas; and Air Cadet Training Course at Rowe, Georgia. On 11 December 1945, he was honorably discharged for convenience of the government as surplus enlisted personnel under the authority of Army Regulation 615-365 and Letter AGPE-A WDAGP 220.8, in the grade of air cadet. __________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends the applicant’s request be denied. DPSIDR states the applicant claims he did not receive an appointment as a 2Lt upon completion of aviation cadet training because he was unable to complete four hours of flying time due to a rash he contracted. However, completion of training itself did not authorize appointment as a 2Lt. Army Regulation 615-160, Enlisted Men-Aviation Cadets, dated 4 November 1942, indicates that immediately prior to the termination of a course of training, a board of officers consider the qualifications of each aviation cadet and prepare a report containing a statement as to whether the cadet was physically, morally, educationally, and professionally qualified for an appointment as a 2Lt or flight officer. Aviation Cadets were selected for appointment as a 2Lt or flight officer based on these reports. Upon completion of training, aviation cadets who were recommended for appointment were appointed accordingly. Aviation cadets not appointed were suspended from aviation cadet training by the commanding officer and subsequently assigned to a unit and carried as surplus. The applicant’s WD AGO Form 100, Army of the United States Separation Qualification Record, reflects he completed Air Cadet Training and B-29 Flight Engineer Training; however, his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, does not reflect award of Flight Engineer’s Wings. A review of his reconstructed record did not reveal documentation indicating he had been selected for appointment. However, his WD AGO Form 53- 55, confirms he was in surplus status upon his separation. The applicant has not provided any documentation to support his request for appointment as a 2Lt or as a flight officer. The DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit B. __________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant indicates that during his service time in World War II, cadets weren’t given personal copies of the board postings. He was in Class 735 which was due to graduate the third week of July 1945. This class did graduate and was appointed commissions. Hondo Field records will reveal he was on the list. He believes his flight officer official certification number was 14256. The appointment list was also forwarded to “Sam the Tailor” at Hondo Field so they could order their officer uniforms. He remembers being fitted for his uniforms. Everyone became part of the surplus program in September 1945 and was subsequently discharged. He only requests that the right thing be done to honor the service he performed for his country and that he can have the correct information on his tombstone plaque. The applicant’s rebuttal is at Exhibit D. __________________________________________________________________ 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 an injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ 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. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 19 August 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-03186: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 Sep 07, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIPR, dated 10 Jul 08. Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 11 Jul 08. Exhibit D. Applicant’s Rebuttal, dated 17 Jul 08.