RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-01711
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Airmans 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; however, in Nov 11, it was denied.
The Board has since 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 applicants 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 applicants request for award of the AmnM. On
2 Nov 11, the AFDB considered and denied the Air Force Special
Operations Commanders (AFSOC/CC) request for reconsideration
for the AmnM.
On 2 Aug 12, the AFBCMR considered and granted the Team Leaders
request for award of the AmnM for his actions during Operation
UNIFIED RESPONSE. On 17 Sep 13, the AFBCMR denied the Team
Leaders request for entitlement to the 10 percent pay increase
for 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 applicants request should
be approved. In this respect, we note that each member of the
team played an equal role in the missions 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 applicants 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 Airmans Medal for his heroism involving voluntary
risk of life while participating in Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE
from 13 January 2010 to 23 January 2010.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2013-01711 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 4 Apr 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Redacted Copy of Precedent Case.
Panel Chair
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