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AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 02079
Original file (BC 2013 02079.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

                       RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-02079
	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Airman’s Medal (AmnM) for his actions 
following the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was put in for the AmnM for his action in Operation UNIFIED 
RESPONSE, in Haiti.  In Nov 11, the AmnM request was denied.  

He was reconsidered for award of the AmnM, in 2011; however, his 
request was again denied.  Subsequently, the Board has ruled 
that the teams’ actions did indeed meet the requirements of the 
AmnM.  The Pararescueman (PJ) Team Leader had his medal 
approved; and due to the fact that the medals were submitted for 
the same actions, it stands to reason that he should receive 
this award as well.  Considering both put their lives in 
considerable risk to rescue trapped Americans and Haitians.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in Port-au-Prince, Haiti as a Pararescue 
team member while assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, 
in direct support of Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE, from 13 to 
23 Jan 10.  The five man team was attached to the Fairfax County 
Urban Search and Recovery team while in Haiti.

On 5 May 10, the Air Force Decorations Board (AFDB) considered 
and denied the applicant’s request for award of the AmnM.  On 
2 Nov 11, the AFDB considered and denied the Air Force Special 
Operations Commander’s (AFSOC/CC) request for reconsideration 
for the AmnM.

On 2 Aug 12, the Board considered and granted the Pararescue 
Team Leader’s request for award of the AmnM for his actions 
during Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE.  On 17 Sep 13, this Board 
denied the applicant’s request for entitlement to the 10 percent 
pay increase for his retirement pay.

The AmnM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States or foreign military personnel who, while serving in any 
capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish 
themselves by heroism involving voluntary risk of life under 
conditions other than those of actual conflict with an enemy.  

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting 
corrective action.  We note the AmnM was awarded to the Team 
Leader and the applicant believes he should be awarded the AmnM 
for the same reasons.  After carefully reviewing the available 
evidence, it is our opinion that the applicant’s request should 
be approved.  In this respect, we note that each member of the 
team played an equal role in the mission’s success.  Moreover, 
their individual acts of heroism were consistent with those of 
the Team Leader and involved the same voluntary risk of life 
under extreme conditions against insurmountable odds.  In view of 
this, we find the evidence is sufficient to recommend approval 
for the AmnM.  Although not requested by the applicant, 
generally, when an AmnM is awarded, the Secretary of the Air 
Force, Personnel Council (SAFPC) determines entitlement to a 
10 percent increase in retirement pay.  In view of this, we 
considered the applicant for the additional pay; however, we did 
not find substantive evidence that his actions on the days in 
question rose to the level of "extraordinary," as required for 
award of the 10 percent increase in retired pay.  Therefore, we 
find no basis to recommend approval for entitlement to an 
additional 10 percent increase at retirement.  Accordingly, we 
recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to the extent 
indicated below.  

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the 
Airman’s Medal for his heroism involving voluntary risk of life 
while participating in Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE from 13 Jan 10 to 
23 Jan 10.

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-02079 in Executive Session on 31 Jan 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 13 Apr 13.
     Exhibit B.  Redacted Copy of Precedent Case.




                                   Panel Chair

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