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AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-01880
Original file (BC-2012-01880.pdf) Auto-classification: Denied
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 
DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-01880 
COUNSEL:  NONE 
HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

   
IN THE MATTER OF: 
   
   
 
________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 
 
He  be  entitled  to  the  Valor  device  to  his  previously  awarded 
Bronze Star Medal (BSM). 
 
________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 
 
The citation for the BSM he was awarded reflects that the award 
was  given  for  Meritorious  Achievement  although  it  was  directly 
related to combat. 
 
He took appropriate action through his chain of command without 
satisfactory results. 
 
The  citation  reflects  the  actions  he  took  and  should  reflect 
that he received the BSM with Valor (BSM w/V). 
 
In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
BSM citation. 
 
The  applicant’s  complete  submission,  with  attachment,  is  at 
Exhibit A. 
 
________________________________________________________________ 
 
STATEMENT OF FACTS: 
 
The applicant is currently on Active Duty in the Air Force.  He 
was approved for the BSM via Special Order G-02620, dated 4 Nov 
2009. 
 
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  1941,  shall  have 
distinguished  himself  by  heroic  or  meritorious  achievement  or 
service,  not  involving  participation  in  aerial  flight,  in 
connection  with  military  operations  against  an  armed  enemy.  
When awarded for heroism, the Bronze Star Medal is annotated by 
a bronze "V" device (to designate valor).  Only one "V" device 
will be worn on the medal or ribbon regardless of the number of 
times awarded. 
 ________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

2

 
 
THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
AFPC/DPSIDR  recommends  denial.  DPSIDR  states  the  applicant 
contends  he  exhausted  administrative  efforts  by  going  through 
his  chain  of  command  requesting  the  upgrade  "without 
satisfactory  results."    However,  he  has  not  provided  any 
documentation  to  support  his  efforts  in  trying  to  seek  upgrade 
through  administrative  channels.  On  5  Jun  2012,  DPSIDR 
contacted  the  original  approval  authority,  Air  Forces  Central 
Command (AFCENT).  According to AFCENT the applicant's BSM went 
through  the  proper  chain  of  command  and  was  approved  for 
Meritorious  Achievement  on  4  Nov  2009.    AFCENT  contends  they 
have  no  record  of  the  applicant's  request  to  upgrade  BSM  for 
Meritorious Achievement to the BSM w/V for heroism.  
 
The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 
 
________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
A  copy  of  the  Air  Force  evaluation  was  forwarded  to  the 
applicant on 25 Jun 2012 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 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 
has  not  provided  any  documentation  to  support  his  efforts  in 
trying to seek upgrade through administrative channels.  In this 
regard,  we  note  that  on  5  Jun  2012,  the  Air  Force  office  of 
primary 
approval 
authority, AFCENT.  According to AFCENT the applicant's BSM went 
through  the  proper  chain  of  command  and  was  approved  for 
Meritorious Achievement on 4 Nov 2009.  However, AFCENT contends 
they  have  no  record  of  the  applicant's  request  to  upgrade  the 
BSM  for  Meritorious  Achievement  to  a  BSM  w/V  for  heroism.  
Therefore,  we  recommend  the  applicant  pursue  correction  of  his 
record  through  AFCENT.    Provided  the  applicant  exhausts  all 
remedies  provided  by  existing  law  or  regulations  we  would  be 
willing  to  reconsider  this  case.    Therefore,  it  would  be 
premature for this Board to act on this request. 
 

responsibility 

original 

contacted 

the 

 

2

 

________________________________________________________________ 
 
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 
 
The  applicant  be  notified  that  the  evidence  presented  did  not 
demonstrate  the  existence  of  material  error  or  injustice;  that 
the  application  was  denied  without  a  personal  appearance;  and 
that  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  this  application 
in Executive Session on 18 Oct 2012, under the provisions of AFI 
36-2603: 
 
 
 
 
The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-
2012-01880: 
 
     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 Apr 2012, w/atch. 
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 11 June 2012. 
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Jun 2012. 
 
 
 
 
                                   
                                   Chair 
 

, Chair 
, Member 
, Member 

 

 

 



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