RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03538
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: YES
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His WD AGO Form 53 - 55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation
Honorable Discharge) be corrected to:
Remove New Guinea and Bismarck Archipelago from line 32
(Battles and Campaigns).
Add New Caledonia, Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, New Georgia,
Admiralty Islands, Los Negros, Wakde, Noemfoor, Morotai, Luzon Clark
Field, Borneo, Truk, and Rabaul to line 33 (Decorations and
Citations).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He spent 30 months in the Pacific in service to his country and wants
his records to accurately reflect his accomplishments.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s military records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
The reconstructed military records reflect the applicant served on
active duty in the Army of the United States (AUS) from 30 December
1942 through 28 November 1945.
His WD AGO 53 - 55 reflects he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater
from 10 May 1943 through 20 November 1945. He had 2 years, 6 months
and 11 days of foreign service.
His records further reflect he participated in the battles and
campaigns at New Guinea, Northern Solomons, and Bismarck
Archipelago. The decorations he received were the Good Conduct Medal
(GCM), Distinguished Unit Badge, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign
Ribbon, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze
Service Star.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Note: No Air staff advisory was provided on this case.
_________________________________________________________________
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. Although the applicant’s records
reflect the battles and campaigns he participated in as New Guinea,
Northern Solomons and the Bismarck Archipelago, we believe it is
possible at the time the applicant was discharged and the separation
document was prepared that instead of listing all the separate
locations traveled by the 13th Bomber Command, they were grouped by
the major location. We further believe the applicant has provided
persuasive evidence to support he was assigned to the 13th Bomber
Command and his records should reflect all the battle and campaigns
credited to the unit. Additionally, provided he is eligible, his
records should reflect any additional awards and decorations as a
result of this correction. With no basis to question the applicant’s
integrity, and in recognition of his service to the Nation, it is our
opinion that any doubt should be resolved in the applicant's favor.
Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent
indicated below.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show the WD AGO 53 - 55,
Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, Line 32
Battles and Campaigns be amended to include New Caledonia, Espiritu
Santo, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Admiralty Islands, Los Negros, Wakde,
Noemfoor, Morotai, Luzon Clark Field, Borneo, Truk and Rabaul.
It is further recommended his available records be reviewed to
determine his eligibility for any further awards, citations or
decorations as a result of the above corrective action.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2004-03538 in Executive Session on 12 January 2005, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Martha J. Evans, Panel Chair
Mr. Gregory A. Parker, Member
Mr. Alan A. Blomgren, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149s, dated 21 Nov 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Reconstructed Personnel Records.
MARTHA J. EVANS
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC- BC-2004-03538
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:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to , be corrected to show the WD AGO 53 -
55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge,
Line 32 Battles and Campaigns be amended to include New Caledonia,
Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Admiralty Islands, Los
Negros, Wakde, Noemfoor, Morotai, Luzon Clark Field, Borneo, Truk
and Rabaul.
It is further directed his available records be reviewed to
determine his eligibility for any further awards, citations or
decorations as a result of the above corrective action.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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