RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00830 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty, be corrected to reflect award of the Meritorious Service 
Medal (MSM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His award of the MSM is missing from his DD Form 214. He has 
never received a copy of a special order for the MSM. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement and copies of his MSM certificate and citation. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 30 April 1981, the applicant was released from active duty and 
retired effective 1 May 1981 in the grade of master sergeant (E-
7). He served 20 years and 17 days on active duty. His DD Form 
214 reflects he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, 
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Air 
Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and 
the Air Force Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denying the applicant’s request for the 
MSM. DPSIDR states the applicant provided a copy of the citation 
awarding him the MSM upon his retirement; however, he has not 
provided the special order. DPSIDR wrote to the applicant on 
6 March 2009 requesting a copy of the MSM special order; however, 
they received no response. 


 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 2 June 2009, a copy of the Air Force advisory opinion was 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. 
As of this date, this office has received no response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 was unable to provide a copy of a special order 
awarding him the MSM, we believe the documentation he provided in 
the form of an MSM citation and certificate provides a reasonable 
basis to conclude he was awarded the MSM. While his award of the 
MSM cannot be verified with certainty from the available record 
of evidence, in the interest of equity and justice, we elect to 
resolve any doubt in favor of the applicant. Accordingly, we 
recommend his record be corrected as 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 on 30 April 1981, 
he was awarded the MSM, for outstanding service during the period 
17 June 1985 to 30 April 1981. 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered this application in 
Executive Session on 24 September 2009, under the provisions of 
AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 


All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2009-
00830 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, 2 Feb 09, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 26 May 09. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Jun 09. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 


 

 

AFBCMR BC-2009-00830 

 

 

 

 

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 
APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 30 April 1981, he was awarded the Meritorious 
Service Medal, for outstanding service during the period 17 June 1975 to 30 April 1981. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Director 

 Air Force Review Boards Agency