RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02858
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 24 MAR 08
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) be upgraded to the Airman’s Medal
(AmnM) or the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He should have been awarded the AmnM or the AFCM for his heroic act
(extinguishing a fire under a B-52 engine during bomb loading on an active
flight line) on 14 March 1985, rather than the AFAM. He acted with total
disregard to his own safety. His act prevented the aircraft from exploding
and killing him and or all the members of his load crew.
In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy of the citation to
accompany the AFAM.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 30 Nov 1983, applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force.
On 29 February 1988, applicant was honorably released from active duty
under the provisions of AFR 39-10, Early Separation Program – Strength
Reduction. He served four years, three months, and one day of total active
service.
Applicant was awarded the AFAM on 14 March 1985 for heroism.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial. DPPPR states they were unable to locate a
recommendation submitted by the applicant’s recommending official or senior
rater for upgrade of the AFAM to AmnM or AFCM. It is the recommending
official’s decision as to determine whether a decoration recommendation
will be submitted in accordance with AFI 36-2803, paragraph 1.7.1.
Current timelines for submitting decorations is two years from the date of
the act or achievement. However, under the Fiscal Year 1996 National
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 526, which was enacted into law
on 10 February 1996, this timeline, has now been waived. Under this Act,
which lifted the time limitations on submitting award recommendations,
veterans who may make a case for award consideration (or upgrade of a
previously awarded decoration) not previously eligible because of these
time limits, may now submit for award consideration. However, the written
recommendation must meet two criteria – be made by someone, other than the
member himself, in the member’s chain of command at the time of the
incident, and, who has firsthand knowledge of the acts of achievements; and
be submitted through a congressional member who can ask a military service
to review a proposal for a decoration based on the merits of the proposal
and the award criteria in existence when the event occurred.
The DPPPR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant reviewed the evaluation and states he risked his life by
staying and fighting the fire. He saved others by putting the fire out and
injured himself in the process. He went above and beyond while fighting
the fire and should have received the AmnM.
Applicant’s complete response with attachments 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of an error or injustice warranting award of the AmnM or the
AFCM. After reviewing the evidence of record we are not persuaded that the
applicant’s AFAM should be upgraded. His contentions are duly noted;
however, we agree with the Air Force office of primary responsibility that
there is no indication in the applicant’s military personnel records to
substantiate that he was recommended by anyone in his chain of command for
a higher award, therefore, we adopt its rationale as the basis for our
conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or
injustice. Should he provide the appropriate documentation, such as
letters from the recommending official or senior rater recommending him for
either the requested awards, we would be willing to reconsider his appeal.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no
compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the
existence of an error or an injustice; the application was denied without a
personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2006-
02858 in Executive Session on 28 November 2006, under the provisions of AFI
36-2603:
Ms. Cathlynn B. Novel, Panel Chair
Ms. Judith B. Oliva, Member
Mr. Don H. Kendrick, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Sep 06, w/atch.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 3 Oct 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 Oct 06.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs.
CATHLYNN B. NOVEL
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02460
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02460 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE: 19 FEBRUARY 2008 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) w/1OLC. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2002-01576
His Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) be upgraded to a Airman’s Medal (AmnM) for action performed on 13 November 1982. b. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: On 1 October 1984, he was awarded an Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) for Heroism for his actions on 13 November 1982. A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-00866
In accordance with AFI 36-2803, recommendations for the AFCM and AFAM must be submitted as soon as possible following the act, achievement, or service. There is no documentation available or provided by the applicant that indicates his commander recommended or approved awards for the AFCM or AFAM. The timeline for submitting decorations is two years from the date of the act or achievement.
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | bc-2005-01522
He should be awarded the DFC for his actions on 23 June 1952. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that the AmnM is awarded for voluntary risk of life not involving actual combat and the applicant’s actions on 23 June 1952 were previously recognized in the AM he was awarded for numerous operational flights from 8 May 1953 to 23 June 1952. On 14 June 1952, he was awarded...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-01363
Furthermore, the applicant has not provided any evidence to reflect a second JMUA was awarded. However, there is no evidence in the applicant’s records indicating she served in another unit that was awarded the JMUA; nor has the applicant provided any documentation substantiating she was awarded a second JMUA. However, should the applicant provide documentation substantiating she was assigned to another unit receiving the JMUA, this Board would be willing to review the materials for...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2006-03541
In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy an AFCM citation and certificate awarded to a former member of his unit which was awarded during the time he alleges he was assigned. However, after review by AFPC/DPPRY, it was discovered the applicant is also entitled to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-03215
They have contacted the applicant several times and his losing organization (USAF Aerospace Medical Squadron, Brooks AFB, Texas) to provide this office copies of the approved AFCM decoration elements for file in his military personnel record. The Board notes the applicant’s DD Form 214 indicates award of the AFCM; however, there are no special orders or the award certificate in the applicant’s military record to substantiate entitlement to the decoration. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-00218
He received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device for his 2005 deployment, and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal (AFESM) with Gold Border, which proves he was in a hostile environment. They advise the Army CAB may be awarded to any soldier after 18 September 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaged or engaged by the enemy. ...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02759
In addition, the applicant did not serve in Vietnam, therefore is not eligible for the RVNCM. The complete AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is attached at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant states the Air Force failed in its responsibility to inform separating personnel that the Board for Corrections of Military Records (BCMR) was an option. After a thorough review of the available evidence and the...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2002-04071
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2002-04071 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM, 1 OLC), awarded for the period 24 April 1999 to 23 April 2001, be upgraded to an Air Force Commendation Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM, 2 OLC),...