RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00945 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His Date of Birth (DOB) be corrected to reflect 16 Mar 17 vs 16 May 18. 2. His record be corrected to reflect Foreign Service time in Tinian, Island, Japan. 3. He receive copies of orders that transferred him to the 462nd Bombardment Group. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The applicant makes no contentions. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his birth certificate, WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge; WD-AGO Form 100, Army of the United States Separation Qualification Record, a witness statement from a lieutenant stating that he was stationed in Tinian, Island, Japan with the applicant and various other documents associated with his request. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records were located in the area most heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973. Therefore, the facts surrounding his Foreign Service time could not be verified. According to the available records, on 6 Jul 42, the applicant enlisted in the Army Air Corps. On 23 Nov 45, he was honorably discharged in the grade of sergeant. He served 3 years, 4 months and 17 days of total active service. The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, Block 33, Decorations and Citations, indicates he received the following decorations and citations: the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. The applicant’s WD AGO Form 100, Army of the United States, Separation Qualification Record, Summary of Military Occupations, reflects that he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. Also, his WD Form 372A, Final Payment – Worksheet, indicates he received Foreign Service Pay for the period 1 Oct 45 to 17 Nov 45. The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal is awarded for service outside the continental United States in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater for at least 30 days between 7 Dec 41 and 2 Mar 46. On 14 May 13, AFPC/DPSIRP, requested the applicant forward either the original or certified copy of the legal document to verify his DOB. As of 26 Aug 13, the documentation had not been received by their office. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIRP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his DOB. AFI 36-2608, Military Personnel Records System, table A7, allows the Air Force to make changes on prior service personnel if the data in question was recorded in error. Without the original or a certified copy of the legal documentation they are unable to verify the data was recorded in error. No supporting documentation was provided for consideration as requested and the applicant has no continuing affiliation with the Air Force as a Reserve member or retiree; therefore, they are unable to amend his military record after the fact. The complete DPSIRP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to correct his record to reflect Foreign Service time. A review of the applicant’s master personnel records and documentation submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiate he served any Foreign Service time. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 15 Oct 13, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. _________________________________________________________________ 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 regarding the applicant’s request to change his DOB and Foreign Service time. The applicant’s records were located in the area most heavily damaged by fire in 1973; therefore, we must consider this application based solely on the documentation provided by the applicant and the reconstructed records of the NPRC. After a careful review of the applicant’s complete submission we believe that relief is warranted. In this respect, we note DPSIRP recommends denial and states the applicant failed to provide an original or certified copy of the legal documentation to support his claim. However, the applicant has provided a photocopy of his birth certificate that reflects his DOB of 16 Mar 17. Therefore, we find the evidence presented is sufficient to recommend his DOB be changed. Regarding the applicant’s request for Foreign Service time, we note that DPAPP states that there is no evidence the applicant had any Foreign Service time. However, the applicant’s WD AGO Form 100 and WD Form 372A reflects he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater for 12 months and received Foreign Service Pay. In addition, his WD AGO Form 53-55, indicates he was assigned to the 768th Bombardment Squadron, 462nd Bombardment Group, which was assigned to Tinian, Island, Japan during the period 1 Jul 43 to 31 Mar 46. In view of the above, coupled with the witness statement corroborating his service time in Japan, we find the evidence presented is sufficient to conclude that he had Foreign Service time in Japan. Additionally, we note the applicant requests that he be provided copies of the orders transferring him to the 462nd Bombardment Group. Unfortunately, the Board is not the custodian for his military records and as noted above, his records were located in the area most heavily damaged in the fire at the NRPC. However, the applicant may obtain a copy of the reconstructed record by submission of a written request to NRPC at 9700 Page Street, St. Louis, MO 63132. In view of the foregoing we recommend his records be corrected to show that his DOB was changed to reflect 16 Mar 1917 and that he had boots on the ground in Japan. Accordingly, we recommend his record be corrected to the extent indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that: a. His date of birth is amended to reflect 16 March 1917. b. He had boots-on-the ground in Tinian, Island, Japan. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-00945 in Executive Session on 20 Dec 13 and 17 Jun 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Forms 149, undated, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Personnel Record. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIRP, dated 26 Aug 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 18 Sep 13. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Oct 13