RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04618 COUNSEL: HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His WD AGO 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, Block 32, Battles and Campaigns, be amended to include Iwo Jima. His WD AGO 53-55, Block 33, Decorations and Citations, be amended to include the award of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: These two details have been omitted from his record and has asked counsel to assist him in correcting his records. It should be noted that he is one of the few Pearl Harbor Survivors and based on his assignment with the 78th Fighter Squadron his records are in error. In support of his request, the applicant’s counsel provided an excerpt from the book Pacific Air Combat WWII, Voices from the Past. In the book on page 181 it lists the applicant’s name as a member of the 78th Fighter Squadron, Army Air Corps. It also details a story in which the applicant while on Iwo Jima in 1945, again as part of the 78th Fighter Squadron, roamed caves and found a Japanese flag, uniform button, post cards and name tag. The portion of the text goes on and details how the applicant attended a 1991 reunion in Hawaii and met a Japanese Navy fighter pilot and returned those souvenirs in the hopes they might find the families that originally owned them. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Army Air Corps on 9 Aug 40. On 23 Aug 45, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge, and was credited with 5 years and 15 days of active service. The applicant’s WD AGO 53-55, reflects the following Battles and Campaigns: Central Pacific (Hawaii, 7 Dec 41) and the award of the following Medals and or Ribbons: Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with clasp, and Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The request is not timely as the applicant separated from service on 23 Aug 45. In evidence provided are copies of an unofficial publication that references his service in Iwo Jima. They were unable to confirm participation in Iwo Jima from the limited official records available. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. While the 78th Fighter Squadron did receive the award of the Presidential Unit Citation with award inclusive period of 7 Apr 45, they were unable to confirm the applicant was assigned to that unit during the award period. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluation were forwarded to the applicant on 29 May 15 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. While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years ago, in our view, the reasonable date of discovery of the alleged error or injustice was more than three years ago and the application is therefore untimely; however, it is in the interest of justice to waive the failure to timely file. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. We note the comments of both AFPC/DPSOR and AFPC/DPSID indicating that relief should be denied because the applicant’s record failed to contain exact dates as to when he was assigned to the 78th Fighter Squadron or his service on the Island of Iwo Jima and the only evidence provided is a copy of an unofficial publication. However, the Board finds the information in the book Pacific Air Combat WWII, Voices from the Past, which identifies the applicant by name as a member of the 78th Fighter Squadron, Army Air Corps and details how the applicant while on the Island of Iwo Jima in 1945 roamed caves and located multiple war trophies. The publication further details how the applicant, while attending a 1991 reunion in Hawaii, met a Japanese navy fighter pilot and returned those items in the hopes they might find the families that originally owned them. The Board is also convinced the applicant was more likely than not assigned to the 78th Fighter Squadron on 7 Apr 1945, thus meeting the eligibility criteria for the award of the PUC. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that: His WD AGO 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, Block 32, Battles and Campaigns, be amended to include Iwo Jima. His WD AGO 53-55, Block 33, Decorations and Citations, be amended to include the award of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04618 in Executive Session on 25 Aug 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04618 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 12 Mar 15. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Feb 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 May 15.