RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  98-01837

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) he was awarded for his actions on  20
October 1987, be upgraded to the Airman’s Medal (AmnM).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His heroic actions on 20 October 1987 warrant award  of  the  AmnM  and  are
beyond specific achievement.

The applicant states that while driving home from duty on  20 October  1987,
he witnessed an F-18 aircraft crash and voluntarily assisted  the  pilot  to
safety despite exploding munitions and burning fuel.

The applicant’s complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 20 October 1987, while assigned to the  17th  Maintenance  Squadron,  RAF
Alconbury, England, as a staff sergeant, the  applicant  witnessed  an  F-18
aircraft  crash  while   attempting   to   takeoff.    The   pilot   ejected
successfully; however, he landed dangerously close to the burning  aircraft.
 The applicant rushed to assist the dazed pilot and after ascertaining  that
his injuries were minimal, led the pilot to safety  and  remained  with  him
until the crash recovery team arrived.

On 9 November 1987, the applicant was awarded the AFAM based on  outstanding
achievement on 20 October 1987.

The AFAM is awarded for meritorious service or outstanding achievement  that
do not meet the requirements of the Air Force Commendation Medal.

The AmnM is awarded for heroism  involving  voluntary  risk  of  life  under
conditions other than those of conflict with an armed enemy of the US.   The
saving of a life  or  the  success  of  the  voluntary  heroic  act  is  not
essential.  An enlisted member who has been awarded  the  AmnM  for  heroism
may request a 10% increase in retired pay.

The applicant has a projected retirement date of 1 March 1999 for length  of
service.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Recognition Programs Branch, AFPC/DPPPRA, reviewed this application  and
states that the applicant has provided sufficient documentation  to  support
his claim and they recommend approval of his request to upgrade the AFAM  to
an AmnM, with consideration for a 10% increase in retired pay.

AFPC/DPPPRA states that by  going  to  the  aid  of  the  dazed  pilot,  who
apparently  was  not  sufficiently  oriented  to  remove  himself  from  the
vicinity of the burning aircraft and  danger  from  the  possible  exploding
ordnance, the applicant voluntarily risked his life to ensure the pilot  was
led to safety.  The AFAM is considered entirely inappropriate for this  sort
of action and they believe the applicant meets the  criteria  for  award  of
the AmnM.

Complete copies of the Air Force evaluations are attached at Exhibits C  and
D.

The SAF Personnel Council reviewed this application and states that the  Air
Force Awards and Decorations Board  recommends  the  applicant  obtain  more
information.  Specifically, the Board noted a significant difference in  the
wording in the AFAM Certificate and the applicant’s  statement.   Also,  the
applicant did not show any effort in locating anyone in his former chain  of
command for verification and support.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit E.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed  the  Air  Force  evaluations  and  states  that  his
statement is what happened on that day, and is the same  statement  that  he
gave the aircraft investigation team and his former commander.   He  has  no
other information that he can submit.  He does not know the names of  anyone
in his former chain of command eleven years ago.   He  does  know  that  the
commander was a lieutenant colonel and has probably retired.

The applicant’s complete response is attached at 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 to timely file.

3.    Sufficient relevant evidence has been  presented  to  demonstrate  the
existence of probable error or injustice. In this respect, we note  that  on
20 October 1987, the applicant witnessed an F-18  aircraft  crash.   Despite
the vicinity of the burning aircraft and the danger  of  possible  exploding
ordnance, he voluntarily risked his life to ensure  the  pilot  was  led  to
safety.  We believe the applicant’s heroic actions  meet  the  criteria  for
the award of the AmnM. In view of  the  applicant’s  extraordinary  heroism,
and since he has an approved retirement  date  of  1  March  1999,  we  also
believe he should be entitled to a 10% increase in his retired pay based  on
extraordinary heroism entitlement.  Therefore, we recommend his  records  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.    He was awarded the Airman’s Medal, rather  than  the  Air  Force
Achievement Medal, for extraordinary heroism on 20 October 1987.

       b.     On  16  March  1998,  he   requested   extraordinary   heroism
entitlement, and his request was approved by competent authority.



The following members of the Board considered this application in  Executive
Session on 12 January 1999, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                  Mr. Vaughn E. Schlunz, Panel Chair
                  Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Member
                  Mr. Frederick R. Beaman, III, Member

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

      Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 Mar 98, w/atchs.
      Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
      Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPRA, dated 5 Aug 98.
      Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPRA, dated 9 Sep 98.
      Exhibit E.  Letter, SAFPC, dated 28 Oct 98.
      Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 9 Nov 98.
      Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, dated 17 Nov 98.




             VAUGHN E. SCHLUNZ
                                  Panel Chair


AFBCMR 98-01837




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   , be corrected to show that:

            a.   He was awarded the Airman’s Medal, rather than the Air
Force Achievement Medal, for extraordinary heroism on 20 October 1987.

            b.   On 16 March 1998, he requested extraordinary heroism
entitlement, and his request was approved by competent authority.




                                        JOE G. LINEBERGER
                                        Director
                                        Air Force Review Boards Agency