RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03854 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded 
to honorable. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was given a discharge for sleep walking, which is a medical 
condition he could not control. 

 

He “let it be” for decades. He is now 81 years old and wants to 
be proud of his discharge. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 257AF, General Discharge Certificate. 

 

His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 1 Jul 49, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as 
a private for a period of four years. 

 

On 17 Jan 52, his commander notified him he was recommending he 
appear before a Board of Officers convened under the authority 
of AFR 39-16, Enlisted Personnel (Discharge for Inaptitude or 
Unsuitability), to determine his suitability for retention in 
the military service. The specific reason for this action was 
“sleep walking”. His character and efficiency were considered 
“Excellent” and there was no record of disciplinary action. 

 

On 7 Feb 52, the applicant appeared before a Board of Officers 
to determine if he should be discharged from military service 
prior to the expiration of his present term of service because 
of unsuitability. After due consideration of all evidence 
submitted, orally and documentary, the board found the applicant 


was unsuitable for further military service because of his 
repeated episodes of somnambulism and emotional instability. 
The Board of Officers recommended the applicant be discharged 
for unsuitability with a general (under honorable conditions) 
discharge. 

 

On 27 Mar 52, the applicant was discharged, as a corporal, from 
the Air Force. He served 2 years, 8 months, and 27 days of 
total active service. 

 

Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of 
investigation, Washington, D.C., indicated on the basis of the 
data furnished they were unable to locate an arrest record. 
Exhibit C. 

 

On 2 Feb 12, a request for post-service information was 
forwarded to the applicant for response within 30 days. As of 
this date, no response has been received by this office. 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. After a thorough review of the evidence of record, we see no 
evidence to show that the applicant’s discharge was erroneous or 
unjust. We have thoroughly reviewed the circumstances 
surrounding the applicant's discharge and we find no impropriety 
in the characterization of his service. Notwithstanding the 
above, consideration by this Board, is not limited to the events 
which precipitated the discharge. We may base our decision on 
matters of equity and clemency rather than simply on whether 
rules and regulations which existed at the time were followed. 
Under our broader mandate and after careful consideration of all 
the facts and circumstances of applicant's case, we are persuaded 
that corrective action is appropriate on the basis of clemency. 
Since it has been over 57 years since his discharge and it 
appears likely he has led a productive and stable life, we 
believe it would be an injustice for him to continue to suffer 
from the adverse effects of the general discharge. Therefore, we 
believe that on the basis of clemency applicant’s discharge 
should be upgraded to honorable. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 


 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 27 Mar 
52, he was discharged and furnished an Honorable Discharge 
certificate. 

 

______________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-
2011-03854 in Executive Session on 29 Mar 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

The Board voted to correct the record as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 26 Sep 11. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. FBI Report, 31 Oct 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 2 Feb 12, w/atch.