RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03212 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His father’s military records be corrected to reflect that he was discharged in the grade of second lieutenant. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His deceased father’s discharge paperwork reflects he was discharged as an aviation cadet. His father’s grave marker needs to reflect the proper rank. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: In 1973, the former member’s military personnel records were destroyed in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Data extracted from his reconstructed record reflects the former member enlisted in the Army of the United States on 6 December 1940, in the grade of aviation cadet. On 12 December 1942, he was discharged in the grade of aviation cadet to accept a commission and active duty per AR 615-160, Enlisted Men Aviation Cadets. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIPR defers to the Board to decide whether the records of the applicant’s father should be corrected to reflect he was discharged in the grade of second lieutenant. DPSIPR states the record contains no documentation reflecting the applicant’s father accepted a commission as a second lieutenant, nor does the record contain documentation reflecting he was discharged in the grade of second lieutenant. DPSIPR states that aviation cadet enlistments were for the duration of the war and for six months thereafter unless sooner terminated by the President. AR 615-160 provided that upon successful completion of the prescribed course of training and instruction, each cadet would be commissioned a second lieutenant or appointed as a flight officer in the Army and could be ordered into active military service to serve for such periods of time as the President prescribed. Immediately upon completion of training, a report on each aviation cadet was submitted through channels to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces. Aviation cadets were selected for commission as second lieutenants or appointed as flight officers based on the reports. DPSIPR states that the reconstructed record contains no documentation reflecting acceptance of a commission as a second lieutenant, the applicant provided copies of newspaper clippings and sortie records which reflect his father served as a second lieutenant. The complete DPSIPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 3 Dec 12, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). As of this date, this office has not received a response. _________________________________________________________________ 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 untimely filing. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of injustice regarding the applicant’s promotion to the grade of second lieutenant. Since the former member’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973, we must consider this application based solely on the documentation provided by the applicant and the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA). After a careful review of the applicant’s complete submission we believe that relief is warranted. In this respect, we note DPSIDR states that there is no evidence that he was ever commissioned as a second lieutenant. However, the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) has indicated that the history records of the 732nd Bombardment Squadron and 453rd Bombardment Group refer to the former member as a second lieutenant. In view of this and coupled with the sortie records and newspaper articles, we find the evidence presented sufficient to conclude that he was commissioned as a second lieutenant while he was on active duty. Based on the totality of the evidence in this case, we believe it is in the interest of justice to recommend approval of his request. Therefore, 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 prior to his discharge he was commissioned a second lieutenant. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2012-03212 in Executive Session on 18 April 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 March 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIPR, dated 27 November 2012. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 December 2012, w/atch. Panel Chair 2