RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-02997
INDEX CODE: 131.06
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was promoted from sergeant to
staff sergeant.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
They were told by the pilot that he had put in a recommendation for
the enlisted men on crew to be made staff sergeants. However, the
promotion was never acted on and they were discharged as sergeants.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a personal statement.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s master personnel record (MPR) appears to have been
destroyed by the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center
(NPRC) in St. Louis. However, the following facts have been obtained
from documents provided by the applicant.
Applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 3 April
1943 and entered active duty on that same date. He was assigned to
duties in the Army Air Corps. Following training, he performed duties
as an ROM Gunner 757, was progressively promoted to the grade of
sergeant, and was assigned to duties in the 342 Bomb Squadron 97th
Bomb Group (H). The applicant was a POW from 10 September 1944 to 8
May 1945.
On 10 October 1945, while serving in the grade of sergeant, he was
honorably discharged by reason of demobilization. He was credited
with 1 year, 7 months and 17 days of active duty service, of which 10
months and 21 days were foreign service. He participated in the
battles of Northern France, Southern France, Northern Apennines, Rome
Arno and Air Combat Balkins and was entitled to the Good Conduct
Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Air
Medal.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPWB states that a review of the applicant’s records indicates
he was a POW from 10 September 1944 to 8 May 1945, approximately eight
months. Military Personnel Division, ASF, Department of the Army
Message 212259Z Sep 45, states that recovered personnel must have been
absent from military control under honorable conditions for 18 months
or longer, and have not yet received a one grade promotion since
return to military control, in order to be eligible for a POW
promotion. Since the applicant was a POW for approximately eight
months, he does not meet the prerequisites for a promotion. A
complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 31 October 2003, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded
to the applicant for review and response within 30 days. 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the
applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of his request
for promotion; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation
of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for the
conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or
injustice. As stated, recovered personnel must have been absent from
military control under honorable conditions for 18 months or longer,
and have not yet received a one-grade promotion since return to
military control, in order to be eligible for a POW promotion.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence showing the applicant met the
eligibility criteria for a one-grade promotion based on his status as
a POW or any other promotion criteria then in effect and that he was
recommended for promotion and the recommendation was improperly
denied, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief
sought in this application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the
application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly
discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in
Executive Session on 17 December 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. David C. Van Gasbeck, Panel Chair
Mr. E. David Hoard, Member
Ms. Jean A. Reynolds, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Sep 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 9 Oct 03.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Oct 03.
DAVID C. VAN GASBECK
Panel Chair
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