RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03506 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). 2. He be awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA). ADMINISTRATIVELY CORRECTED ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, did not reflect the correct awards and decorations when he separated from the Air Force. He believes it is possible that due to obtaining the AFCM prior to retirement it just did not catch up to him before he was discharged. He wants his records to reflect the correct awards. In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of the AFCM citation and the signed AF Form 2224, Award Certificate dated 19 January 1994, and copies of his DD Form 214. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 13 February 1978. He was progressively promoted to the grade of Staff Sergeant, E-5. He retired on 28 February 1994 with an honorable characterization of service and was credited with serving 16 years, and 18 days of active duty service. He received a separation code of “RBE” with a narrative reason of Voluntary Early Separation. The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not reflect award of either an AFCM or AFOUA. By letter, dated 18 October 2011, AFPC/DPSIDRA, advised the applicant they had verified his entitlement to the AFOUA with three Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/3OLC) and the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). The applicant’s record will be updated to reflect these awards and decorations. Unfortunately, they were unable to verify his entitlement to an AFCM. The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force after 24 March 1958, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though not involve the voluntary risk of life required for the Soldier’s Medal (or Airman’s Medal now authorized for the Air Force) may be considered for the AFCM. A Special Order authorizing entitlement to the AFCM was not provided by the applicant nor located in his official military record. On 17 October 2011, DPSIDRA contacted the applicant requesting a copy of the Special Order authorizing his entitlement to the AFCM. The applicant stated he lost the Special Order sometime in 1996. Without a copy of the Special Order they are unable to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the AFCM. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states that based on their review of the documentation provided and the applicant’s military personnel records they recommend disapproval for entitlement to the AFCM. The complete AFPC/DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 4 November 2011 for review and comment within 30 days. 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 error or injustice warranting corrective action. We note the applicant’s record will be administratively corrected to reflect award of the AFOUA. Regarding his request for award of the AFCM, the applicant has provided a copy of the Award Certificate and the AFCM citation as evidence he was awarded the AFCM for meritorious service during the period 22 January 1993 to 28 February 1994. Although a special order could not be located, we find these documents sufficient to resolve any doubt in this matter in favor of the applicant. As such, we recommend the applicant’s records 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 28 February 1994, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered this application BC-2011-03506 in Executive Session on 6 March 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 September 2011, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 18 October 2011. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 November 2011. Panel Chair