RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04068 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be recognized as a pilot and a Second Lieutenant. 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He enlisted for pilot training in January 1942. He reported for 
military indoctrination at Maxwell Field Alabama in February and 
was sent home to await an available pilot class. He completed 
pilot training courses at the following locations: primary at 
Acadia, FL; basic at Bainbridge, GA; and advanced at Marianna, 
FL. 

 

He and several classmates were discharged in March of 1943 
approximately 2 days before graduation. They enlisted as 
privates, in the Regular Army, the day after discharge they were 
designated for glider school pilot training in Texas. He was 
assigned temporarily to Biloxi Field, MS and subsequently sent 
to Wichita, TX for glider pilot training. He requested combat 
duty as an air crew member rather than fly gliders. He was sent 
to Sioux Falls, SD where he was immediately reassigned as an air 
crew member. 

 

Ultimately, he was never allowed to function as a 2nd Lieutenant, 
the rank he had achieved through completing the pilot training 
program. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant submits copies of 
military documents, a newspaper article, and some photographs. 

 

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

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant’s National Archives (NA) Form 13038, Certification 
of Military Service, dated 30 December 2010 lists his service 
dates as 25 March 1943 through 9 October 1945. He was honorably 
discharged in the grade of Staff Sergeant. The form also lists 
prior service dates from 10 April 1942 to 24 March 1943 with an 
honorable discharge to accept commission. 

 

According to the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC), they 
were unable to provide the necessary records to answer the 
applicant’s inquiry. On 12 July 1973, the NPRC suffered a fire 
and the records in question would have been in the area that 
suffered the most damage and may have been destroyed. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIPV recommends denial. DPSIPV states: The applicant was 
eliminated from the Aviation Cadet program on 16 March 1943. He 
was discharged on 24 March 1943 and enlisted the following day 
as a private in the Regular Army. Commissioning normally does 
not take place until after completion of training and 
graduation. If a cadet is eliminated from the training program 
he would not have received a commission but would have reverted 
to the rank of private. It is unclear as to what date the 
applicant would have been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant since 
he was eliminated from training. 

 

With the severe constraints on documentation, the only documents 
available that show a rank of 2nd Lieutenant are an Authorization 
of Allotment of Pay dated the same day he enlisted as a private 
on 25 March 1943 and an undated newspaper clipping. There are 
no documents available to verify the applicant was ever 
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSIPV evaluation, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 10 February 2012 for review and comment within 30 
days (Exhibit D). To date, this office has not received a 
response. 

 

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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 error or 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 its 
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 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. 

 

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-04068 in Executive Session on 7 June 2012, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 


 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 November 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIPV, dated 18 January 2012. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 February 2012.