RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01411 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded to honorable. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: For the last 62 years he has worked faithfully caring for himself and his family and has lived as an upstanding citizen. He has spent 30 years with the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company in California. As an 18-year-old boy, he did not adjust to military life and he now wishes to have his discharge changed to honorable so that he may have access to all Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) benefits. The failure to timely file the application should be waived in the interest of justice since he has been getting veterans benefits for house insurance through the United States Automobile Association; however, they have changed their policy and no longer accept anything other than an honorable discharge. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 10 Jan 51, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. According to a letter from the Ward Officer, Neuropsychiatric Service, dated 26 Mar 52, on 29 Aug 51, (while on leave) the applicant fell from a horse and received a fractured skull and brain concussion for which he was hospitalized. The letter also states that on 13 Dec 51, he crashed into a door then dashed out into the cold winter night without the appropriate clothing. On 2 Jan 52, he was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Dissociative Reaction, fugue state, post-traumatic. On 14 May 52, the applicant was notified a Board of Officers would convene to consider whether or not he should be discharged prior to expiration of the terms of service under the provisions of AFR 39-16, Discharge for Unsuitability, paragraph 4a (2). On 20 Jun 52, he acknowledged receipt of the Report of Proceedings of the Board which stated that he was unsuitable for further military service because of character and behavior disorders. On 20 Jun 52, the applicant received a general discharge and was credited with 1 year, 5 months, and 11 days of active service. According to AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, dated 9 Jul 2004, paragraph 5.11, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service, Airman may be discharged for physical or mental conditions when the commander determines the condition interferes with assignment or duty performance. Table 1.3, Rule 3, states that the type of separation authorized for conditions that interfere with military service is an honorable discharge. On 28 Apr 14, a clemency bulletin was sent to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). 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 injustice. After reviewing the evidence of record, it appears that his separation was proper and in compliance with the appropriate regulations in effect at the time. However, we note that, under today’s standards, the applicant would in all likelihood have received an honorable discharge. Therefore, it is our opinion that corrective action is appropriate and we recommend that his discharge be upgraded 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 on 20 Jun 52, he was discharged with service characterized as honorable. All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01411 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 31 Mar 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Information Bulletin