RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-03202

DOMINICK A. MORRA	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His discharge characterization be upgraded to Honorable.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was young, impressionable and was involved with the wrong people.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 14 Jan 53, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force as an airman third class.

On 2 Dec 53, the applicant was notified of his commander’s intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFR 35-66, Discharge Processing Where Homosexual Acts or Tendencies are Involved.

On 12 Jan 54, the applicant went before a Board of Officers at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, to determine whether he should be separated from the service under the provisions of AFR 35-66.  The Board recommended the applicant be separated from the service and a DD Form 258AF, Undesirable Discharge Certificate, be furnished.  

On 24 Feb 54, the applicant was discharged from the Regular Air Force with a Character of Separation – Undesirable.  He served 1 year, 1 month and 11 days on active duty.  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and post-service letter at Exhibit C.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes that the applicant is the victim of an injustice.  The applicant was discharged for homosexual conduct, and the actions taken to effect the discharge were in accordance with applicable law and policy in effect at the time.  However, consistent with the Department of Defense guidance following repeal of 10 USC 654, commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The Department of Defense Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States, dated 24 February 1954 and pertaining to the APPLICANT, be corrected as follows:  The Character of Separation should be Honorable; the Reason and Authority for Separation should be “Secretarial Authority”; the phrase, “Amn unfit for Military Service” should be removed from Block 38, Remarks.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-03202 in Executive Session on 13 Sep 18:

Mr. Laurence M. Groner, Panel Chair 
Ms. Phyllis M. Joyner, Panel Member
Mr. Maxim Kidalov, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 14 Jul 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Post Service Clemency Letter, w/atch, dated 7 Nov 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.