RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03887
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) be upgraded to a Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His accomplishments while deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM met the requirements for award of the BSM as prescribed by DoD Instruction 1348.33-M, Military Awards Program; AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program; and AR 600-80-22, Military Awards. Mistakes were made while processing his BSM recommendation that no one was willing to correct, which resulted in him being awarded the MSM instead of the BSM.
In support of his request, the applicant provides an expanded statement with 29 attachments, which include copies of e-mail correspondence and various supporting statements related to the matter under review, as well as extracts of the governing directives/instructions.
The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________ ______________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Information extracted from the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) indicates the applicant is currently serving in the Arizona Air National Guard (ANG) in the grade of senior master sergeant.
The applicant’s military personnel records indicate he was awarded the MSM, first oak leaf cluster (1 OLC), for outstanding non-combat achievement while deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq, during the period 11 Aug 06 through 27 Feb 07.
The BSM is awarded to a person in any branch of the military service who, while serving in any capacity with the armed forces of the United States on or after 7 Dec 41, shall have distinguished them self by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. The award recognizes acts of heroism performed in ground combat if they are of a lesser degree than that required for the Silver Star. It also recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious service if the achievement or service is of a lesser degree than that deemed worthy of the Legion of Merit; but such service must have been accomplished with distinction.
The MSM was established as the counterpart of the Bronze Star Medal for the recognition of meritorious noncombatant service and may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguishes themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service to the United States.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, indicating there was no recommendation located or provided recommending an upgrade to the BSM. With no special order to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the BSM, they are unable to verify his entitlement to the requested award.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR 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 10 Dec 10 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.
2. The application was timely filed.
3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM). After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we are not persuaded the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, other than his own assertions, he has provided no evidence the action to downgrade his recommendation for a Bronze Star Medal (BSM) to a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) first oak leaf cluster (1 OLC) was the result of an error on the part of the award authority. While the applicant’s accomplishments while deployed are noteworthy, there is no evidence to indicate the decision to recognize these efforts with an MSM vice a BSM was erroneous or inappropriate to the situation. Therefore, absent evidence that appropriate standards were not followed, or that there was an abuse of discretionary authority, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or 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-2010-03887 in Executive Session on 23 Jun 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. XXXXXXXXXX, Panel Chair
Dr. XXXXXXXXXX, Member
Ms. XXXXXXXXXX, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Sep 10, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 19 Nov 10.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Dec 10.
XXXXXXXXXX
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2010-01828
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01828 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The applicant requests that her late father’s records be corrected to reflect his entitlement to the following awards and decorations: 1. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends...
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-03827
He was recommended for a BSM while serving in a combat zone and performing duties outside the wire in areas routinely attacked by insurgents and this award should not have been downgraded for being non-combat. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his MSM certificate, dated 3 Sep 08 (Permanent Order #285-008), DA Form 638, Recommendation for Award; AF IMT 77, Letter of Evaluation, Memorandum from AFPC/DPSIDR, Memorandum to AFCENT A1 Decorations, and email and phone...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02017
Therefore the only remaining issue before the Board is the award of the ICM. A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 15 September 2006, for review and response. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-02399
It also recognizes single acts of merit or meritorious service if the achievement or service is of a lesser degree than that deemed worthy of the Legion of Merit; but such service must have been accomplished with distinction. The timeline for submitting a decoration is two years from the date of the act or achievement. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of...
AF | BCMR | CY2009 | BC-2009-00095
DPSIDR states the applicant does not provide any documentation proving he was awarded the BSM w/1 OLC. DPSIDR notes the Belgian Congo was not considered to be an opposing armed enemy force of the United States. After a thorough review of the available evidence and applicants complete submission, we find no evidence the applicants records should be corrected to show he was awarded the PH w/1OLC or BSM w/1OLC.
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-01587
Everyone received a medal but him. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. Additionally, the applicant cannot recommend himself for entitlement to a decoration.
AF | BCMR | CY2008 | BC-2007-04035
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-04035 INDEX CODE: 100.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The Bronze Star Medal (BSM), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM), Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Air Force Recognition Ribbon (AFRR), Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM), and the Non-Commissioned Officer Military Education...
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC 2010 01587 2
The applicant provides four additional statements from his subordinates who served alongside him and gives an eyewitness account for his accomplishments and distinguished service. They are all four in agreement that that applicant should be awarded the requested awards (Exhibit I). Exhibit H. Letter, Applicants Supervisor, dated 12 Jul 13.
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 05864
AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends the board determine if the applicant's actions from 5 August 2003 to 20 November 2003 warrant award of the MSM Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. The recommendation package provided by the applicant only states the request is for the MSM; however, due to the applicant previously receiving award of the MSM First Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, this current request should be considered as a request for the MSM Medal Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. THE BOARD...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-00508
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-00508 IN THE MATTER OF: COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to show he was awarded a second Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit...