RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00945
		COUNSEL: NO 
		HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His Date of Birth (DOB) be corrected to reflect 16 Mar 17 vs 
16 May 18.

2.  His record be corrected to reflect Foreign Service time in 
Tinian, Island, Japan.

3.  He receive copies of orders that transferred him to the 
462nd Bombardment Group. 

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The applicant makes no contentions.

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
birth certificate, WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report 
of Separation Honorable Discharge; WD-AGO Form 100, Army of the 
United States Separation Qualification Record, a witness 
statement from a lieutenant stating that he was stationed in 
Tinian, Island, Japan with the applicant and various other 
documents associated with his request.  

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s military personnel records were located in the 
area most heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel 
Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973.  
Therefore, the facts surrounding his Foreign Service time could 
not be verified.  

According to the available records, on 6 Jul 42, the applicant 
enlisted in the Army Air Corps.  On 23 Nov 45, he was honorably 
discharged in the grade of sergeant.  He served 3 years, 
4 months and 17 days of total active service.

The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, Block 33, Decorations and 
Citations, indicates he received the following decorations and 
citations: the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater 
Ribbon, and the Victory Medal.

The applicant’s WD AGO Form 100, Army of the United States, 
Separation Qualification Record, Summary of Military 
Occupations, reflects that he served in the Asiatic Pacific 
Theater.  Also, his WD Form 372A, Final Payment – Worksheet, 
indicates he received Foreign Service Pay for the period 1 Oct 
45 to 17 Nov 45.

The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal is awarded for service 
outside the continental United States in the Asiatic-Pacific 
Theater for at least 30 days between 7 Dec 41 and 2 Mar 46.

On 14 May 13, AFPC/DPSIRP, requested the applicant forward 
either the original or certified copy of the legal document to 
verify his DOB.  

As of 26 Aug 13, the documentation had not been received by 
their office.  

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIRP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to 
change his DOB.  AFI 36-2608, Military Personnel Records System, 
table A7, allows the Air Force to make changes on prior service 
personnel if the data in question was recorded in error.  

Without the original or a certified copy of the legal 
documentation they are unable to verify the data was recorded in 
error. No supporting documentation was provided for 
consideration as requested and the applicant has no continuing 
affiliation with the Air Force as a Reserve member or retiree; 
therefore, they are unable to amend his military record after 
the fact.

The complete DPSIRP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to 
correct his record to reflect Foreign Service time.  A review of 
the applicant’s master personnel records and documentation 
submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiate he 
served any Foreign Service time.

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit D.

_________________________________________________________________




APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 15 Oct 13, for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit E).  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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice regarding the 
applicant’s request to change his DOB and Foreign Service time.  
The applicant’s records were located in the area most heavily 
damaged by fire in 1973; therefore, we must consider this 
application based solely on the documentation provided by the 
applicant and the reconstructed records of the NPRC.  After a 
careful review of the applicant’s complete submission we believe 
that relief is warranted.  In this respect, we note DPSIRP 
recommends denial and states the applicant failed to provide an 
original or certified copy of the legal documentation to support 
his claim.  However, the applicant has provided a photocopy of 
his birth certificate that reflects his DOB of 16 Mar 17.  
Therefore, we find the evidence presented is sufficient to 
recommend his DOB be changed.  Regarding the applicant’s request 
for Foreign Service time, we note that DPAPP states that there 
is no evidence the applicant had any Foreign Service time.  
However, the applicant’s WD AGO Form 100 and WD Form 
372A reflects he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater for 
12 months and received Foreign Service Pay.  In addition, his WD 
AGO Form 53-55, indicates he was assigned to the 768th 
Bombardment Squadron, 462nd Bombardment Group, which was 
assigned to Tinian, Island, Japan during the period 1 Jul 43 to 
31 Mar 46.  In view of the above, coupled with the witness 
statement corroborating his service time in Japan, we find the 
evidence presented is sufficient to conclude that he had Foreign 
Service time in Japan.  Additionally, we note the applicant 
requests that he be provided copies of the orders transferring 
him to the 462nd Bombardment Group.  Unfortunately, the Board is 
not the custodian for his military records and as noted above, 
his records were located in the area most heavily damaged in the 
fire at the NRPC.  However, the applicant may obtain a copy of 
the reconstructed record by submission of a written request to 
NRPC at 9700 Page Street, St. Louis, MO 63132.  In view of the 
foregoing we recommend his records be corrected to show that his 
DOB was changed to reflect 16 Mar 1917 and that he had boots on 
the ground in Japan.  Accordingly, we recommend his record 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 that:

	a.  His date of birth is amended to reflect 16 March 1917. 

	b.  He had boots-on-the ground in Tinian, Island, Japan.  

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-00945 in Executive Session on 20 Dec 13 and 
17 Jun 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

		Panel Chair
      Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the record as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

		Exhibit A.  DD Forms 149, undated, w/atchs.
		Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Available Personnel Record.
		Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIRP, dated 26 Aug 13.
		Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 18 Sep 13.
		Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Oct 13




								
								Panel Chair



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