RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04347 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge be upgraded 
to Honorable. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was unjustly discharged without being given any explanation. 
He was just told to gather his clothes and go home. Years 
later, his wife found out he was discharged because of a medical 
condition called Cyclothymic Disorder (a mild form of bipolar 
disorder). He is 84 and would like an Honorable Discharge 
before he leaves this world because he served his country well 
when called to active duty. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides an expanded 
statement. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant’s military personnel records were apparently 
located in the area most heavily damaged in the fire at the 
National Personnel Records Center in 1973. According to 
available records, the applicant entered active duty on 26 Jan 
46. On 30 Sep 47, he was furnished a General (Under Honorable 
Conditions) discharge and was credited with 1 year, 6 months, 
and 26 days of active service. 

 

Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation (FBI) provided a copy of an Investigative Report 
indicating they were unable to locate an arrest record on the 
basis of the information provided. 

 


A request for post-service information was forwarded to the 
applicant on 5 Mar 12 for review and comment within 30 days. In 
response, the applicant provides an expanded statement and 
copies of two letters of support (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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. It appears 
the applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the 
NPRC. Therefore, the facts surrounding his separation and 
character of service could not be verified. However, based on 
the presumption of regularity in the conduct of governmental 
affairs, we must assume the applicant’s discharge and service 
characterization were proper and in compliance with the 
directive under which it was effected. Nonetheless, 
consideration of this Board is not limited to the events which 
precipitated the discharge. In this respect, we may base our 
decision on matters of equity and justice, rather than simply on 
whether rules and regulations, which existed at the time, were 
followed. Under this broader mandate, and in view of the 
passage of time since his discharge and his post-service 
adjustment, we believe it would be an injustice for the 
applicant to continue to suffer the effects of his General 
(Under Honorable Conditions) discharge. Accordingly, we 
recommend the applicant’s General Discharge (Under Honorable 
Conditions) be upgraded to Honorable on the basis of clemency. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 
30 September 1947, he was honorably discharged and furnished an 
Honorable Discharge certificate. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-04347 in Executive Session 15 May 12, 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-2011-04347 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Forms 149, dated 29 Oct 11, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Available Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 5 Mar 12, w/atch. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 18 Mar 12, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair