RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02893 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, dated 31 Oct 70, be corrected to reflect: 

 

1. The SDN number in Block 11c be changed to more accurately 
reflect the service he performed. 

 

2. He was awarded the Korean War Service Medal (KWSM), administratively resolved. 

 

3. He was awarded a decoration in recognition of his long and 
outstanding service to the Air Force; by amendment the applicant 
requests award of the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

The SDN number on his DD Form 214 does not reflect the service he 
performed while on active duty. Although, the SDN is no longer 
used for hiring, he would like it changed because it is the only 
blemish on his records. The KWSM was awarded after his 
retirement and it should be added to his records. He further 
believes his records support he is entitled to a medal for his 
long outstanding service. He believes his service records serve 
as proof that he has more than earned a medal for his outstanding 
service. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides an expanded 
statement and copies of documents extracted from his military 
personnel records. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant’s records reflect that he contracted his initial 
enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 30 Dec 49. The applicant 
retired on 1 Nov 70 and was credited with 20 years, 10 months, 


and 1 day of active service, which included one year, two months, 
and nine days of foreign service. 

 

On 29 Aug 11, AFPC/DPAPP informed the applicant the portion of 
his request for foreign service credit for Korea has been 
verified and confirmed. He had boots on ground for 10 months and 
11 days in Korea from 30 Dec 52 to 9 Nov 53. He was further 
advised that his foreign service is accurately reflected on his 
DD Form 214. 

 

On 13 Sep 11, AFPC/DPSIDRA informed the applicant of his 
entitlement to KWSM. However, the KWSM is not authorized for 
update on the DD Form 214 as it is an award of a foreign 
government. 

 

On 4 Jan 12, AFPC/DPSIDRA informed the applicant that on his 
initial application it appeared he was requesting award of the 
AFCM and addressed his request as such. However, based on his 
29 Dec 11 letter, he clarified that he is requesting award of the 
AFAM. On 12 Oct 80, the Secretary of the Air Force authorized 
the AFAM and it is awarded to service members of the Armed Forces 
of the United States (U.S.) and foreign military personnel, below 
the rank of Colonel, after 30 Sep 81, who, while serving in any 
capacity with the U.S. Air Force distinguishes themselves by 
meritorious service or achievement. The applicant retired on 
31 Oct 70, several years prior to the authorization of the AFAM 
and therefore, he is ineligible for the medal. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial of the applicant’s request for 
award of the AFCM, noting there is not a signed recommendation 
from the applicant’s chain of command who had firsthand knowledge 
of his acts or achievements, a proposed citation, and an 
endorsement from his chain of command has not been provided. Per 
Special Order G-67, dated 14 Jul 65, the applicant received the 
AFCM. 

 

The AFCM is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United 
States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force 
after 24 Mar 58, distinguished themselves by meritorious 
achievement or service. 

In accordance with the AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and 
Decorations Program, no individual is automatically entitled to 
an award upon completion of an operation temporary duty (TDY) or 
departure for an assignment. 

 

The AFAM is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United 
States and foreign military personnel, below the rank of colonel, 
after 30 Sep 81, who while serving in any capacity with the 
United States Air Force, distinguishes themselves by meritorious 
service or achievement. 


 

The applicant may pursue award of the AFCM under the provisions 
of the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The 
original or reconstructed written award recommendation is 
required. The recommendation must be made by someone, other than 
the service member himself, preferably the commander or 
supervisor at the time of act or achievement, with firsthand 
knowledge of the service member’s accomplishments. If someone 
has firsthand knowledge of the service member’s accomplishments 
and achievements, they may act as the recommending official. The 
recommendation must include the name of the decoration, reason 
for recognition, inclusive dates of the act, and a narrative 
description of the act. The recommending official must sign the 
recommendation. In addition, a proposed citation is required and 
any chain of command endorsements are encouraged. Any statements 
from fellow service members, eyewitness statements attesting to 
the act, sworn affidavits, and other documentation substantiating 
the recommendation should be included with the package. 

 

The complete HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

He is not requesting the AFCM. He already received one. He 
wants the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) for his long 
outstanding service. In support of award for the AFAM, he has 
provided over 10 years of outstanding performance with the 
commanders endorsement. 

 

The applicant’s response, with attachment, is at Exhibit F. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 an injustice that would 
warrant action by this Board. In that regard, we note the 
applicant is not eligible for award of the Air Force Achievement 
Medal (AFAM) as it was created subsequent to the period of 
service served by the applicant. There are no provisions to 
retroactively award this medal. Additionally, the applicant has 
not provided sufficient evidence to show that the fact he was not 
presented an award at the time of his retirement constitutes an 
error or injustice. As for his request to change the SDN 


reflected on his DD Form 214, we note he was advised by 
AFPC/DPSOS in a memorandum, dated 29 November 2011, that the SDN 
number reflected on his DD Form 214 indicates that he retired 
after 20 years of service, but with less than 30 years of 
service. Since it appears the SDN number is correct as presently 
constructed and the applicant has not provided sufficient 
evidence to show otherwise, we find no basis to recommend 
changing it. Finally, we further note that the applicant’s 
record will be administratively corrected to reflect his award of 
the KWSM. Therefore, based on the above and in the absence of 
evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting 
any relief beyond that rendered administratively. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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-2011-02893 in Executive Session on 13 Mar 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Aug 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Military Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 13 Sep 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 29 Dec 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair