2.  The applicant requests, in effect, that he be promoted to captain based on his World War II service.

3.  He states, in effect, that he was eligible for promotion to captain at the time of his release from active duty on 10 March 1946.  

4.  The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Information herein was obtained from WD AGO Form 66-1 (Officer’s and Warrant Officer’s Qualification Card) provided by the applicant.

5.  His military record shows that he was appointed to the grade of 2nd lieutenant upon completion of officer candidate school on 1 July 1943.  He served in the European-African Middle-Eastern Theater of Operations from 17 October 1944 until 11 July 1945.  He was promoted to 1st lieutenant effective 1 January 1945 and released from active duty on 10 March 1946 in that grade.

6.  His efficiency ratings in 11 duty assignments of record following his appointment as a 2nd lieutenant include six superior ratings, one excellent rating, two very satisfactory ratings and one satisfactory rating, two assignments were not rated because of insufficient time.  His overall efficiency index based on his efficiency ratings was between excellent and superior (43.3 computed in accordance with then existing guidance).

7.  On 31 October 1945 the War Department announced a new promotion policy for officers being released from active duty as the result of the demobilization after WWII.  This guidance was subsequently modified and published as War Department Circular 311, dated 18 October 1946.  These documents, in pertinent part, provided for the separation from active duty promotions of certain officers to the next higher rank (from first lieutenant through colonel).  Officers were required to have held their prior rank a specified period of time.  In the case of promotions from first lieutenant to captain, the period was 18 months.  However, the circular also provided that officers would be given 50 percent credit for all time spent in the lower rank overseas.  The officer's narrative efficiency ratings would be converted to a numerical rating as follows:

      NARRATIVE RATING               POINTS

      Superior                       50
      Excellent                      40
      Very Satisfactory              30
      Satisfactory                   20
      Unsatisfactory                 10

Numerical ratings would be converted to a narrative rating, then an efficiency index score (points).

8.  To be promoted, the officer's combined efficiency index was required to be 40 points or higher for all rated periods while on active duty.  For officers already released from active duty, their cases would be referred to the War Department for resolution.  Promotions would be effective the date the officer departed active duty.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant served for 9 months overseas as an officer.  He was promoted to the grade of 1st lieutenant on 1 January 1945 and separated from the service on 10 March 1946, 14 months later.  With the 50 percent credit for overseas service to be applied to the time in grade requirement for promotion, he had more than 18 months in the grade of 1st lieutenant at the time he was separated from active duty.

2.  Efficiency ratings shown on his WD AGO Form 66-1 when computed in accordance with instructions for determining an officer’s efficiency index reveal his efficiency index is 43.1, which exceeds the 40 or higher required for promotion.

3.  Since he departed active duty on 10 March 1946, that date should be the effective date of his promotion to the grade of captain under the promotion of officers on release from active duty program.
4.  In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned received a promotion to the grade of captain on 10 March 1946 under the provisions of War Department Circular 311, dated 18 October 1946.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON