RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01619 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect entitlement to the 
following medals and ribbons: 

 

 1. The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). (Entitlement 
verified – will be administratively corrected) 

 

 2. The Good Conduct Medal (GCM). 

 

 3. The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He served from 1951-1958, during a time of war, and his discharge 
documents do not reflect award of these medals and ribbons. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Forms 214; and DA Form 20, Soldier’s Qualification Card. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force from 
1 Mar 51 to 31 Jul 53, for a total of two years, five months, and 
one day. 

 

He had prior service totaling 1 year, 3 months, and 23 days, 
which in total gave him 3 years, 8 months, and 24 days for pay 
purposes. 

 

On 31 Jul 53, he was honorably released from active duty for 
physical disability and was placed on the Temporary Disability 
Retired List (TDRL). On 31 Mar 58, he was removed from the TDRL 
and retired for permanent physical disability. 

 


AFPC/DPSIDR verified the applicant’s entitlement to the NDSM for 
his active service from 1 Mar 51 to 31 Sep 53 during the Korean 
War; his DD Form 214 will be amended to include this award. 

 

The GCM is awarded to active duty enlisted members of the United 
States military who complete three consecutive years of 
“honorable and faithful service.” Such service implies that a 
standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial 
punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses. 

 

The SAEMR is awarded to all Air Force members who, after 1 Jan 
63, qualify as “expert” in small-arms marksmanship with either 
the M-16 rifle or issue handgun. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the 
GCM and the SAEMR. DPSIDR states the SAEMR was created after the 
applicant’s retirement date of 1 Apr 58. Additionally, the 
applicant’s Report of Separation dated 31 Mar 58, confirms active 
service from 1 Mar 51 to 31 Jul 53, which is less than the 
required three years of active service required for award of the 
GCM. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 17 Jun 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to 
the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a 
response has not been received (Exhibit C). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 to warrant award 
of the GCM and SAEMR. We took notice of the applicant's complete 
submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree 
with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for 
our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an 
error or injustice. We note DPSIDR has verified the applicant’s 


entitlement to the NDSM and will correct the applicant’s record 
to reflect this medal. Therefore, aside from the administrative 
correction noted above, we find no basis to recommend further 
relief in this case. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 Docket Number 
BC-2011-01619 in Executive Session on 2 Aug 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Apr 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 23 May 11. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jun 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair