AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY R CORDS 

SECOND ADDENDUM TO 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

IN THE MATTER OF: 

I l J G  2 I1998 

DOCKET NUMBER:  8 6 - 0 4 5 1 8  
COUNSEL:  None 
HEARING DESIRED:  Yes 

APPLICANT REOUESTS THAT: 
His  WD  AGO  53-55,  Enlisted  Record  and  Report  of  Separation  - 
Honorable  Discharge,  be  corrected  to  show  that  his  rank  at 
separation was  sergeant, rather than private; his organization at 
the time of separation was the 482nd Svc Sq, rather than the 
Bomb Sq; and, he participated in the "Morotai, Philippine Islands, 
Leyte Island, Mindanao, Mindoro Island, and Okinawa Island" Battles 
and Campaigns. 
His medical records be corrected to show that he was hospitalized 
during  the period  2 5   December 1 9 4 4   to  4 January  1 9 4 5   for yellow 
jaundice . 

RESUME OF THE CASE: 
The applicant's  records were lost or destroyed in the fire at the 
National Personnel Records Center on 12 July 1973 .  The applicant's 
separation document indicates that he was inducted into the Army of 
the  United  States  on  7 April  1943  and  entered  active  duty  on 
1 4  April  1943.  He was assigned to duties in the Air Corps as an 
airplane sheet metal worker. 
The applicant's  separation document  further indicates that he was 
honorably discharged on 12 January 1946 because of demobilization. 
He had  served on active duty for 2 years, 9  months and  6 days of 
which  1 year, 11 months  and  18 days was  foreign service in  the 
Asia-Pacific  Theater  of  Operations.  His  rank  at  separation was 
recorded  as private  first  class  (PFC) and  it  was  indicated  the 
highest grade he held was corporal.  His organization was the 820th 
Bomber Squadron, 5th Air Force.  H e   had participated in the GO 33 is 
40  WD  4 5 ,   New  Guinea,  South  Philippines, and  Luzon  Battles  and 
Campaigns.  He was authorized to wear the Good Conduct medal, the 
Philippines  Liberation  Ribbon  with  1  Bronze  Star,  the  American 
Theater Service Medal, the Asia-Pacif ic Theater Service Medal with 
3  Bronze Stars, and the World War I1 Victory Medal. 
In an application submitted under AFR  31-3, dated  11 March  1 9 8 6 ,  
the  applicant  requested his  separation documents be  corrected  to 
show he was separated in the grade of sergeant, his organization at 

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separation be  changed  482nd Svc  Sq, his  eye  color was  blue,  the 
addition of  several battles  and  campaigns, and  one overseas bar. 
He  also  requested  his  records  be  corrected  to  show he  received 
medical treatment for yellow jaundice.  He also requested that his 
records be  corrected  to show his  entitlement  to an Overseas Bar. 
His  request  for an overseas bar  was  resolved administratively on 
26 September  1986  and  the  case  was  thereafter  forwarded  to  the 
Board  for  consideration.  The  application was  considered  by  the 
Board on 12 March 1987 and denied as untimely (see AFBCMR 86-04518, 
with Exhibits A through E). 
On 26 September 1986, a DD Form  215, Correction to Certificate of 
Release or Discharge  from Active  Duty, was  issued, which  amended 
the applicant's  separation document to show he was entitled to one 
Overseas Bar. 
On 10 September 1996 and 25 April 1997, the Board reconsidered and 
denied  the  applicant's  requests  that  his  WD  AGO  53-55, Enlisted 
Record and Report of Separation -  Honorable Discharge, be corrected 
to  show  that  his  rank  at  separation  was  sergeant, rather  than 
private; his organization at the time of  separation was the 482nd 
Svc  Sq, rather  than  the  820th Bomb  Sq; his  eye  color was  blue, 
rather than gray; and, he participated in the "Morotai, Philippine 
Islands, Leyte Island, Mindoro Island, and Okinawa Island" Battles 
and Campaigns.  Also  denied was  the applicant's  request  that his 
medical  records  be  corrected  to  show  that  he  was  hospitalized 
during  the period  25 December 1944 to  4 January  1945  for yellow 
jaundice  (see Addendum to Record of Proceedings, dated 9 June 1997, 
with Exhibit F) . 
The  applicant's  request  for  a  change  of  his  eye  color  was 
thereafter  staffed  to  the  appropriate  office  of  primary 
responsibility f o r  administrative correction to the record based on 
the  evidence provided.  On  28  August  1997, a  DD  Form  215,  was 
issued correcting the applicant's eye color from gray to blue. 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 
Through  a  member  of  Congress,  the  applicant  submitted  evidence 
which he believes verifies his claims that he was assigned to the 
482pd Air  Service Squadron and  that  his  Place of  Entry  (POE) was 
Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  He  also  would  appreciate  the  Board's 
full  consideration of  his  requests  for  a  change  in  his  rank  to 
sergeant and correction of his battles and campaigns. 
This submission is at Exhibit G. 

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AFBCMR 86-04518 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
The  Directorate  of  Assignments,  AFPC/DPAISl,  reviewed  this 
application  and  indicated  that  although  it  appears  that  the 
applicant was assigned to the 482nd Air Service Squadron during his 
military  service,  they  do  not  believe  evidence  to  support  that 
assignment at  the  time of  separation has been presented.  Due to 
the  passage  of  time  since  the  applicant's  separation  and  no 
evidence to discredit the discharge form, DPAIS1 recommended that 
this portion of the appeal be denied (see Exhibit H). 

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The  Recognitions and  Programs Branch, AFPC/DPPPRA,  reviewed  this 
application and stated that campaign credit is given to units for 
participation in specified campaigns; this information is listed in 
Air  Force  Pamphlet  (AFP)  900- 2 . 
The  applicant s  Report  of 
Separation  reflects  campaign  credit  for  New  Guinea,  Southern 
This  document  further  shows  he  was 
Philippines,  and  Luzon. 
entitled  to  the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal  with  three Bronze 
Service Stars, that his  organization was the  820th  Bomb  Squadron, 
and  that  he  was  assigned  to  the  Asiatic-Pacific  Theater  of 
Operations from 15 January 1944  to 13  December 1 9 4 5 .  
DPPPRA stated that the 820th Bomb Squadron only received credit for 
participation in two campaigns:  Eastern Mandates  (7 December 1943 
__  to  16  April  1944)  and Ryukyus  ( 2 6   March  to  2  July  1 9 4 5 ) .   Under 
this  unit,  the  applicant  would  only  be  entitled  to  two  bronze 
service stars, not three. 
The 482nd Service Squadron only received credit for participation in 
two campaigns:  New Guinea  (24  January 1943 to 31 December 1944) 
and Papua  ( 2 3   July 1942  -  23  January 1 9 4 3 ) .   Under this unit, the 
applicant would  only be  entitled  to one bronze  service star, not 
three. 
It  appears  to  DPPPRA  that  the  applicant  believes  that  campaign 
credit is given for each area in which he  served in the Asiatic- 
Pacific Theater of  Operations; this is not  true.  Only campaigns 
which  are listed  in AFP  900- 2  are authorized campaigns, and  only 
the campaigns for which the unit has received credit can entitle an 
individual to bronze  service stars if  he  or she was  assiqned  to 
that  unit  durinq  the  campaisn.  However, -since the  applicant s 
Report  of  Separation lists three campaigns and  awarded  him  three 
bronze  service stars for his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, they 
do not wish to make any changes (deletions). 
A complete copy of this evaluation, including an extract from AFP 
900- 2,  is at Exhibit I. 
The  Enlisted  Promotion  Branch,  AFPC/DPPPWB,  reviewed  this 
application and stated that there is no documentation available to 
reflect that  the  applicant's  grade at  the time of  separation was 
anything other than private.  As indicated in their staff advisory 

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AFBCMR 86- 04518 

opinion  dated  23  September  1986  (Exhibit  C),  his  Report  of 
Separation shows his grade as private and his highest grade held as 
corporal.  In addition, his Final Payment -  Work Sheet, prepared at 
the  time  of  discharge,  reflects  his  grade  as  private. 
In  the 
absence of documentation to the contrary, DPPPWB concludes that his 
rank  at  the  time  of  discharge  was  private. 
Therefore,  they 
recommend denial of his request for a higher grade  (Exhibit J). 
The  Skills  Management  Branch,  AFPC/DPPAE,  stated  that,  after 
reviewing the documents provided, they agree that  the  applicant's 
records should be administratively corrected to show that his Place 
of Entry (POE) was Harrisburg, PA (see Exhibit K). 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

Copies of the advisory opinions were forwarded to the applicant for 
review and  comment.  Through a member of  Congress, the applicant 
submitted additional evidence and  requested  that  the  Board  grant 
him a personal hearing  (Exhibit M). 

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__  THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

1.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate 
the existence of probable  error or injustice with  respect  to the 
applicant's  request for the addition of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on 
his  separation  document  as  the  place  he  entered  active  duty. 
Specifically, the  applicant  provided  a  copy  of  a  Special  Order 
apparently  issued  in  April  1943  by  an  Armed  Forces  Induction 
Station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which includes his name among 
the other inductees.  In view of this evidence, and because we are 
aware of  the fact that this correction has not yet been made,  to 
ensure he is afforded this relief, his records should be corrected 
as indicated below. 
2.  We  are  not  persuaded  by  the  evidence  provided  with  the 
applicant's most recent submissions that favorable consideration of 
his  requests  for  changes  to  his  rank  and  organization  at 
separation, and,  credit  for  additional  battles  and  campaigns  is 
appropriate . 
As  new  evidence  in  support  of  his  requests  for 
promotion  and  credit  for  battles  and  campaigns,  the  applicant 
provided a statement he wrote in which he reiterated his assertions 
which  was  thereafter signed by  former comrades at  a  convention. 
Also  provided  are  copies  of  an order  showing  that  on  7 January 
1945,  he  and  others  assigned  to  the  482nd Service  Squadron were 
awarded  the  Good  Conduct  Medal  and  that  he  was  issued  a  Pass 
authorizing  him  to  visit  Manila  on  27  May  1945  (there  is  no 
indication on the latter document of the issuing organization).  It 
is  our  opinion  that  this  evidence  is  not  sufficient  to  warrant 
approval of the requested relief. 

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AFBCMR 86-04518 

a.  With  respect  to  the  applicant's  asserted  promotion  to 
sergeant,  the  only  new  evidence  provided  is  the  above-cited 
statement  - -   no  official document  has been provided  showing that 
the applicant met the eligibility criteria for promotion to or ever 
held  the rank of  sergeant.  Without some confirmation in the form 
of  a  contemporaneous  official  document,  or,  a  statement  by  a 
promotion recommending or approving official, we  are not  inclined 
to favorably consider this request. 

b.  Since  no  evidence  has  been  provided  concerning  the 
applicant's  alleged  treatment  for  yellow  jaundice,  our  earlier 
findings with respect to this issue are affirmed. 

c.  We have noted the statements and evidence indicating that 
the  applicant  was  assigned  to  the  482"'  Service  Squadron  for  a 
period  of  time.  No  persuasive  evidence has  been  provided  which 
would  lead  us  to  believe  that  the  applicant's  last  unit  of 
assignment, for however brief  that  assignment may  have  been, was 
not  the  820th  Bomber  Squadron,  or  that  this  information  was 
improperly recorded on his separation document. 

d.  The officially-recognized battles and campaigns which could 
be  entered on a member's  separation document, provided  the member 
was assigned  to a participating unit  during the period  for which 
credit was  given, were  listed in Air  Force  Pamphlet  (AFP) 900-2. 
We note the Air Force's  observation concerning the inconsistencies 
in the  number of  bronze  service stars the  applicant's  separation 
document  shows he  had  accrued  and  the  number  of  bronze  service 
stars which  were  officially  sanctioned  for the  two  organizations 
cited  in this appeal.  Based on the  information contained in AFP 
900- 2  and  the  following discussion,  it  would  appear  that  if  an 
error was made with respect to the number of bronze service stars 
to which he was entitled, it was made to the applicant's benefit. 

e.  The record shows that the applicant served in the Asiatic- 
Pacific Theater of Operations  (APTO) during the period  15 January 
1944  through 13 December 1 9 4 5 .   His separation document reveals he 
served in the New Guinea  (24 Jul 1 9 4 2   -  31 Dec 1 9 4 4 ) ,   the Southern 
Philippines  (27 Feb -  4  Jul  1 9 4 5 )   and Luzon  (15 Dec 1 9 4 4   -  4  Jul 
1 9 4 5 )   battles and  campaigns.  The dates for these events are not 
inconsistent with  his overseas service dates, notwithstanding the 
fact  that  they  are  not  consistent with  the  officially-recognized 
participation of  the two organizations cited in this application. 
The  applicant  has  requested  credit  for  participation  in  the 
"Moroti , 
"Mindoro  Island, ' I   and  'Okinawa  Island" 
battles and campaigns.  While the applicant may have been at these 
locations  at  some  time  during  his  service  in  the  APTO,  these 
entries  were  not  officially  recognized  'battles"  or  "campaigns." 
AFP  900- 2  indicates that the  inclusive period  for the Philippines 
Islands campaign was 7 December 1 9 4 1  to 10 May 1 9 4 2   --  prior to the 
applicant's  arrival in the theater.  Finally, the inclusive period 
for the "Leyte IslandN campaign was 17 October 1 9 4 4   to 1 July 1 9 4 5 .  
However,  neither  the  482nd  Svc  Sq  or  the  820th  Bomb  Sq  were 
authorized  credit  for  participation  in  this  campaign  and  the 

"Mindanao, If 

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AFBCMR 86-04518 

applicant has provided  no evidence indicating he  was  assigned  to 
some other organization which was so entitled. 

f.  As a final matter, we again note that the applicant did not 
appeal the issues under review until approximately 40 years after 
his separation.  It is now more than 52 years since his separation. 
Because of  the passage of  time during which memories  can fade or 
become distorted and the accidental destruction of his records, the 
applicant's  ability to  substantiate his  claims has  been  severely 
We  are  not  unmindful  or  unappreciative  of  the 
diminished. 
applicant's  service to his Nation.  Nevertheless,  in view  of  the 
ambiguous information shown on the few existing official documents 
provided  for  our  review  without  more  compelling  information  to 
substantiate the applicant's claims, we are unable to conclude that 
sufficient doubt has been created concerning the propriety of  the 
applicant's  records  to  warrant  favorable  consideration  of  this 
application. 
3 .   The applicant's case  is adequately documented  and  it  has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will 
materially  add  to  our  understanding  of  the  issues  involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. 

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The pertinent military  records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT be  corrected by  amending  Item 25  of his WD 
AGO  Form  53-55,  Enlisted  Record  and  Report  of  Separation  - 
Honorable Discharge, issued on 12 January  1946,  to show that his 
Place of Entry into Service was Harrisburg, PA. 

The following members of the Board considered this application in 
Executive Session on  10 August  1998  under  the  provisions of  AFI 
36-2603 : 

Mrs. Barbara A. Westgate, Panel Chair 
Mr. Frederick R. Beaman 111, Member 
Mr. Jackson A.  Hauslein, Member 

All  members  voted  to  correct  the  records,  as  recommended. 
following additional documentary evidence was considered: 

The 

with attachments. 

Exhibit G.  Letter from C/M Gekas, dated 25 September 1997, 
Exhibit H.  Letter, AFPC/DPAISl, dated 20 December 1997. 
Exhibit I.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPRA, dated 6 January 1998, with 
Exhibit J.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 8 January 1998. 
Exhibit K.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 23 February 1998, with 

attachments. 

attachment. 

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AFBCMR 86-04518 

Exhibit L.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 25 February 1998. 
Exhibit M.  Letter from C/M Gekas, dated 26 March  1998, with 

attachments. 

BARBARA  A. WESTGAT3 
Panel Chair 

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AFBCMR 86-04518 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIRFORCE 

WASHINGTON, DC 

Office of the Assistant Secretary 

AFBCMR 86-045 18 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF 

Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction 

of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A 
Stat 116), it is directed that: 

1946, to show that his Place ofEntry into Service was 

.r 

f the Department of the Air Force rdat 
be corrected by amending Item 25 of his 
Separation - Honorable Discharge, issued on 12 Januarv 

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/ Director  U 

Air Force Review Boards Agency