RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-01051
INDEX CODE: 110.00
COUNSEL: None
HEARING DESIRED: No
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 31 AUG 06
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His bad conduct discharge (BCD) be upgraded.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
When he was absent without leave (AWOL) it was not wartime. He went
AWOL because he requested and was refused overseas duty. All the
other members in his platoon were sent overseas. He was AWOL for 10
days. He returned to face his punishment. He believes he has paid
his debt to the military. He would like his discharge upgraded before
his death. He has always wanted his discharge upgraded but never
thought it was possible until a friend told him he could. He is sorry
for what he did and is seeking mercy.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force (RegAF) as an basic
airman on 15 January 1953 for a period of four (4) years.
On 14 July 1953, the applicant received an Article 15 for failure to
repair to school on 10 July 1953. For this misconduct, his punishment
consisted of reduction in rank from airman third class to basic
airman.
The applicant was tried and found guilty by a Special Court-Martial on
17 November 1953 for being absent without leave from 5 August 1953
through 18 October 1953. In accordance with
Special Court-Martial Order No. 762, dated 7 December 1953, his
punishment consisted of six months confinement and forfeiture of
$55.00 a month for six months. The convening authority approved four
months confinement and a fine of $25.00 a month for four months.
Special Court-Martial Order No. 38, dated 18 February 1954, remitted
the unexecuted portion of the applicant’s punishment.
On 7 May 1954, the applicant was found guilty by a Summary Court-
Martial for being AWOL from 2 April 1954 through 19 April 1954. His
punishment consisted of confinement for 30 days and forfeiture of
$25.00 of pay.
The applicant was tried and found guilty by a Special Court-Martial on
21 July 1954 for being AWOL from 2 July 1954 through 12 July 1954. In
accordance with Special Court-Martial Order No. 173, dated 26 July
1954, his punishment consisted of a BCD, confinement for three months
and forfeiture of $25.00 of pay for three months. Special Court-
Martial Order No. 224, dated 1 October 1954, affirmed the applicant’s
sentence.
The applicant was discharged on 20 October 1954 under the provisions
of AFR 39-18 and Special Court-Martial Order No. 224, with service
characterized as bad conduct. He served 8 months and 25 days of
active duty and had 371 days of lost time.
Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Washington, D.C., provided an investigative report which is attached
at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPRS states the applicant has not submitted any evidence nor
identified any errors or injustices that occurred in the processing of
his discharge. Based upon the documentation in the servicemember's
file, they believe his discharge was consistent with the procedural
and substantive requirements of the discharge regulations of that
time. Also, the discharge was within the sound discretion of the
discharge authority. The applicant did not provide any other facts to
warrant an upgrade of his discharge. Based on the information and
evidence provided they recommend the request be denied (Exhibit D).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on
22 April 2005, for review and response. As of this date, no response
has been received by this office.
On 9 May 2005, the Board staff requested the applicant provided
documentation regarding his activities since leaving military service.
The applicant, as of this date, has not responded (Exhibit F).
On 26 May 2005, the Board staff forwarded the applicant a copy of FBI
report for review and response. As of this date, no response has been
received by this office (Exhibit G).
_________________________________________________________________
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 of timely file.
3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice. After thoroughly reviewing the
evidence of record, we find no evidence to show the applicant’s bad
conduct discharge as a result of his conviction by special court-
martial was erroneous or unjust. Therefore, we are in agreement with
the assessment of the Air Force office of primary responsibility
concerning the sentence in this case. While we would ordinarily
review a case for clemency, we note the absence of evidence by the
applicant attesting to a successful transition to civilian life. In
view of the contents of the FBI report, the applicant appears to have
continued his misconduct after leaving the service. Therefore, we are
not persuaded to extend clemency in this case. In view of the
foregoing, we conclude that no basis exists to recommend granting the
requested relief.
_________________________________________________________________
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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2005-01051 in Executive Session on 6 July 2005 under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Ms. B. J. White-Olson, Panel Chair
Ms. Patricia A. Robey, Member
Mr. Patrick C. Daugherty, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 Apr 05, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. FBI Report.
Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 18 Apr 05.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Apr 05.
Exhibit F. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 9 May 05, w/atch.
Exhibit G. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 26 May 05.
B. J. WHITE-OLSON
Panel Chair
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