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AF | BCMR | CY2001 | 0100312
Original file (0100312.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

                            RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00312
            INDEX CODE:  107.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO


_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM)  for  the  period  15  March  1968
through 2 September 1968.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His Bronze Star Medal recommendation package was lost in the  administrative
process.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided a  personal  statement,  AF
Form 642, Recommendation For Decoration, dated 2 September 1968,  and  other
documentation.

Applicant’s complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 22 August 1944.

On 31 July 1969, the applicant retired in the grade of  lieutenant  colonel,
under the provisions of AFM  35-4  (Permanent  disability  Retirement).   He
served a total of 24 years, 11 months, and 9 days total active duty.

The applicant was recommended for award of the BSM for the period  15  March
1968 through 2 September 1968.   The  form  was  signed,  but  there  is  no
indication it was submitted into official channels  (endorsed  by  the  next
higher official in the chain of command or forwarded to the  final  approval
authority.)

The BSM is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves  by  heroic  or
meritorious achievement or service, not involving  participation  in  aerial
flight, while engaged in  action  against  an  enemy  or  while  engaged  in
military operations involving conflict.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The  Chief,  Recognition  Programs  Branch,  HQ  AFPC/DPPPR,  reviewed  this
application and states that the narrative portion of the recommendation  for
the BSM does not include any of the applicant’s aerial  achievements,  which
would be the only time he met the criteria regarding being engaged with  the
enemy.  Since the BSM is not awarded for aerial  achievements,  these  could
not be mentioned in the narrative portion.   The  proposed  citation  states
the applicant “engaged in military operations against  an  opposing  force,”
but this would only be true when flying combat missions over  Vietnam.   The
narrative  portion  of  the  recommendation  deals  with   the   applicant’s
managerial skills only, which would be a more proper recommendation  for  an
Air Force Commendation Medal.  The  applicant  believes  the  recommendation
package was lost in administrative channels; however, they  do  not  believe
the recommendation package was placed in official channels or  forwarded  to
the final approval authority.  If it had been, the final approval  authority
would have disapproved the recommendation  because  it  does  not  meet  the
criteria for award of the BSM.  Therefore,  they  recommend  disapproval  of
the applicant’s request.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation, with  attachment,  is  attached
at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 4 May 2001, a copy of the Air  Force  evaluation  was  forwarded  to  the
applicant for review and response within  thirty  (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.    Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to  demonstrate  the
existence of probable error or injustice.  It  appears  that  the  applicant
was recommended for the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) on 15 March 1968  through  2
September 1968.   Although  the  recommendation  was  signed,  there  is  no
indication it was submitted into official channels.  Absent evidence to  the
contrary, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force  and
adopt their rationale as the basis for our  conclusion  that  the  applicant
has not been the victim of an error or  injustice.  Therefore,  we  find  no
basis to recommend favorable action on his request.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented  did  not  demonstrate
the existence of probable 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 this application in  Executive
Session on 5 June 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                  Ms. Rita S. Looney, Panel Chair
                  Mr. William H. Anderson, Member
                  Mr. George Franklin, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 28 January 2001, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 18 April 2001.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 4 May 2001.




                                RITA S.LOONEY
                                Panel Chair



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