RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04973
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded:
a. The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM).
b. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM)--(Administratively corrected).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
These two awards were left off his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, in error.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________ ______________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 24 May 66.
On 24 Dec 69, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge, and credited with three years, seven months, and one day of active service.
On 15 Jan 14, AFPC/DPSIDRA directed the applicants military record be corrected to reflect the following:
a. Change Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS) to read VSM with four Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/4BSS).
b. He was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) which is included at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicants request for the AFCM, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, below the grade of Colonel and foreign military personnel, who, while serving in any capacity with the Department of the Air Force after 28 Mar 58, distinguished themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service. A thorough review of the applicants military records did not reveal any official documentation to verify he was awarded the AFCM. In order for the applicants request to be reasonably considered he will need to provide documentation such as a proposed citation or an eyewitness statement attesting to the act/achievement.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
In response, he submitted a draft copy of a Citation to Accompany the Award of the Air Force Commendation Medal to the applicant for meritorious service during the period 4 Jan 69 through 16 Dec 69; a copy of Special Order G-201, dated 13 Jan 70, directing he be awarded the AFCM; and, photographs of the medal, the signed AFCM Certificate, dated 13 Jan 70, which he contents he received at award presentation, and a photo of the signed award citation with embossed seal (Exhibit E).
________________________________________________________________
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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect to the applicants request for the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). We took notice of the applicant's complete submission, to include his rebuttal response to the advisory opinion, in judging the merits of the case, and believe that a preponderance of the evidence indicates that corrective action is warranted. While we note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicating the applicants records do not contain documentation indicating he was bestowed the requested award, we note that in his rebuttal response, the applicant included copies of the signed Special Order G-201, dated 13 Jan 70, directing he be awarded the AFCM and a photo of the certificate to establish that he was awarded the AFCM while on active duty. Therefore, we recommend the applicants record be corrected as indicated below.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service on 13 January 1970.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-04973 in Executive Session on 31 Jul 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 10 Oct 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 15 Jan 14.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 May 14.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 29 Apr 14.
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