RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01558
            INDEX CODE:  107.00

            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  award  of  the  Air  Force
Commendation Medal (AFCM), and  the  AFCM,  Second  Oak  Leaf  Cluster
(2OLC).

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 does not show the AFCM.

In support of his appeal, the applicant submitted a  copy  of  his  DD
Form 214; copies of the Citation and orders for award of the Air Force
Commendation Medal (AFCM)(Basic),  and  copies  of  the  Citation  and
Presentation Order for award of the  AFCM  (2  2OLC)  for  outstanding
achievement during the period 10 – 11 Dec 68.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 7 May 65, for period of
four years, in the  grade  of  airman  basic.   He  was  progressively
promoted to the grade of staff sergeant (SSgt/E-5),  with  a  date  of
rank and effective date of 1 Feb 69.  He served an  overseas  tour  in
Thailand during the period of 27 Sep 67 – 19 Feb 69 and  was  released
from active duty on 20 Feb 69.  He served 3 years,  9  months  and  14
days active duty.

Applicant’s records reflect award  of  the  National  Defense  Service
Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with one bronze service star), Air Force
Good Conduct Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

On 16  August  2002,  HQ  AFPC/DPPPR  administratively  corrected  the
applicant’s record to  reflect  award  of  the  AFCM  for  meritorious
service for the period 1 Sep 67 to 31 Jan 69.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application  and  recommended  disapproval
for award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) with  Second  Oak
Leaf  Cluster.   They  informed  the  applicant  that  there  was   no
indication in his records that he was recommended for, or  awarded  an
AFCM, or any oak leaf clusters.  The applicant provided a  copy  of  a
15 Feb 69 order awarding him the basic AFCM, a letter  forwarding  the
elements for  an  AFCM  w/2  OLC,  and  copies  of  the  citation  and
certificate for the AFCM w/2 OLC.  He did not provide any orders other
than the one for award  of  the  basic  AFCM  or  a  cover  letter  of
explanation.

Based on the documentation provided by the applicant, they  were  able
to add the basic AFCM to his DD Form 214.  However, without  an  order
showing  award  of  the  First  or  Second  Oak  Leaf  Clusters,   his
eligibility for award of any additional medals could not be verified.

The complete Air Force evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant submitted an undated response wherein he indicated  that  he
has submitted all  the  documentation  that  he  has  other  than  the
originals.

He  further  states  that  he  was  awarded  the  AFCM  (2  OLC)   for
volunteering to assist in  developing  a  Heavy  Lift  Helicopter  Air
Rescue Unit and helping in saving the lives of American pilots.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

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  demonstrate  the
existence of an error or injustice warranting award of the  Air  Force
Commendation Medal (AFCM), First Oak Leaf  Cluster  (1OLC).   The  Air
Force has administratively corrected  applicant’s  record  to  reflect
that he was awarded  the  AFCM  Basic.   Applicant  contends  that  he
received the AFCM with the 1OLC and 2OLCs.  In support of  his  appeal
he has submitted a citation reflecting he was awarded the AFCM,  2OLC;
however, we find no documentation reflecting that he had been  awarded
the lOLC.  Therefore, we recommend that his records  be  corrected  to
show  award  of  the  AFCM,  lOLC.   If  the  applicant  can   provide
documentation showing that he  was  awarded  another  AFCM,  we  would
reconsider his appeal.  In view of the above  findings,  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 on  26 February 1969,
he was awarded the  Air  Force  Commendation  Medal,  First  Oak  Leaf
Cluster, for the  period  10  -  11  December  1968,  for  outstanding
achievement while performing duty in Southeast Asia.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 02-
01558 in Executive Session on 6 February 2003, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:

                 Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Vice Chair
                 Ms. Rita S. Looney, Member
                 Mr. Mike Novel, Member

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

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 May 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 16 Jul 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Aug 02.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, undated.




                                   THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
                                   Vice Chair



AFBCMR 02-01558




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
26 February 1969, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal,
First Oak Leaf Cluster, for the period 10 - 11 December 1968, for
outstanding achievement while performing duty in Southeast Asia.







            JOE G. LINEBERGER
            Director
            Air Force Review Boards Agency