RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04203 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

Award of the AFCM is listed on his DD Form 214; however, he did 
not receive the award. This decoration would have been awarded 
from the 607th CBCS in Camp Humphreys, Korea. Unfortunately, 
this organization no longer exists and he would like the points 
toward testing for staff sergeant. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of his 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

During the time period in question, the applicant enlisted in the 
Regular Air Force on 13 November 2001. 

 

On 24 November 2006, the applicant was honorably released and 
transferred to the Air Force Reserve. He served 5 years and 
12 days and was credited with 1 year, 10 months and 27 days of 
foreign service. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states 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 March 
1958, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious 
achievement and service. The degree of merit must be 
distinctive, though it need not be unique. Acts of courage which 


do not involve the voluntary risk of life required by the 
Soldier’s Medal (or the Airman’s Medal now authorized for the Air 
Force) may be considered for the AFCM. 

 

The 607th Combat Communications Squadron, Camp Humphreys Army 
Installation, Korea, has been deactivated. It appears the AFCM 
update could be an error made during the out-processing of the 
applicant’s paperwork or DD Form 214 as there is no information 
concerning the AFCM updated in the Military Personnel Data System 
(MilPDS). 

 

Although the applicant’s DD Form 214 dated 24 November 2006 shows 
AFCM listed under the awards and decorations section, there is no 
official documentation located within the applicant’s official 
military record or provided with his claim verifying he was 
recommended for and awarded the AFCM for his service with the 
607th Combat Communications Squadron. 

 

The applicant has provided email traffic dated 13 October 2011, 
in which he inquired about the AFCM with the 51st FSS/DPMPE 
Awards and Decorations and 51st MSG/Records Management at Osan 
Air Base, Korea. On 14 October 2011, the 51st FSS/DPMPE advised 
the applicant they did not have any record of the AFCM and for 
the applicant to contact his former supervisor with the 607th 
Combat Communication Squadron to see if the AFCM recommendation 
package was ever submitted into official channels. The applicant 
does not state whether he contacted his former supervisor nor has 
he provided any documentation to verify any such attempts; 
however, DPSIDRA has verified that both reporting officials on 
the applicant’s final Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) from the 
607th Combat Communications Squadron are currently on active 
duty. The applicant also does not state nor has he provided any 
documentation verifying any attempts to obtain guidance from his 
former Major Command (MAJCOM), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), due to 
his former unit being deactivated. 

 

DPSIDRA is unable to verify an injustice exists without official 
documentation from the original recommending official that 
verifies the applicant was recommended for or awarded the AFCM. 

 

The DPSIDRA complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSOY recommends denial. DPSOY states the applicant out-
processed from Wright-Patterson AFB OH, after his assignment in 
Korea and assuming the applicant informed them he had a AFCM 
pending, they gave him the benefit of the doubt by adding the 
decoration without official documentation. There is no official 
documentation in his military record and he has not provided the 
citation or the order. Furthermore, DPSOY noticed the official 
signature in block 22 on his DD Form 214 is missing. A new DD 
Form 214 will be accomplished. Based on the board’s decision, 
they will maintain the AFCM or remove the AFCM when they 
reaccomplish the form to correct the signature error. 


 

The DPSOY complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 16 December 2011, copies of the Air Force evaluations were 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no 
response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 error or injustice. The applicant’s 
contentions are duly noted; however, after reviewing the evidence 
of record we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air 
Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale 
as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not provided 
evidence showing his entitlement to the Air Force Commendation 
Medal. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we 
find no 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 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-2011-04203 in Executive Session on 27 March 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 


 

 

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-04203 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 October 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 15 November 2011. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOY, dated 15 December 2011. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 December 2011.