RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04444
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He should have been awarded the BSM for his duties at the Clark
AB, Philippines command post during Operation BABY LIFT,
Operation NEW LIFE and the evacuation of Vietnam.
All of the command post personnel received the BSM except him.
He was told records were missing of personnel who had rotated
from the unit prior to the submission.
The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider
his untimely application as an individuals honorable service is
a testament to a persons character and devotion to their
country. If a person is entitled and deserving of the award no
time limits should be imposed.
The applicants complete submission is at Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 30 Apr 91, the applicant was retired in the grade of Master
Sergeant (MSgt, E-7). He was credited with 20 years, 7 months
and 25 days of active duty service.
The BSM authorized by Executive Order 9419 on 4 Feb 44 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 41 shall have distinguished
himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or
service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in
connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. There is no evidence in the
applicants record, nor did the applicant present any, to
support award of the BSM. Furthermore, there is insufficient
documentation to reasonably consider the applicants request.
In order to reasonably consider the request, the applicant needs
to submit a recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge
of the act/achievement preferably from someone within his chain
of command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed
citation and eye witness statements of those who can attest to
the act/achievement for which he is requesting the BSM. DPSID
also recommends disapproval due to the fact that the request was
not filed in a timely manner. To grant relief would be contrary
to the criteria established by DODM 1348.33, Manual of Military
Decorations and Awards, Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of
Staff.
Based on a review of the applicants record, DPSID was able to
determine that the applicant should have been awarded the Korean
Defense Service Medal (KDSM) for his service from 23 Mar 66 to
30 Apr 91. Upon the Boards final decision, administrative
correction of the applicants record will be completed by
AFPC/DPSOR.
A complete copy of the DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at
Exhibit C.
SAF/MRBP concurs with the recommendation of DPSID to disapprove
the applicants request. The applicant has not provided any
evidence to support his claim, nor any evidence a member of his
chain of command nominated him for the BSM.
A complete copy of the MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit D.
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the
applicant on 9 Mar 15 for review and comment within 30 days
(Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by
this office.
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 an error or injustice. We took
notice of the applicants complete submission in judging the
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and
recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary
responsibility and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis
for our conclusion the applicant has failed to sustain his
burden of proof that he has been the victim of an error of
injustice. Therefore, aside from the administrative correction
for award of the KDSM, we find no basis to recommend granting
the requested relief.
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material 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-2014-04444 in Executive Session on 10 Jun 15 under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Oct 14, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 29 Jan 15, w/atch.
Exhibit D. Memorandum, SAF/MRBP, undated.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Mar 15.
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 05644
It also recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious service if the achievement or service is of a lesser degree than that deemed worthy of the Legion of Merit (LOM); but such service must have been accomplished with distinction. We took notice of the applicants complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force Offices of Primary Responsibility (OPRs) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01093
It also recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious service if the achievement or service is of a lesser degree than that deemed worthy of the Legion of Merit; but such service must have been accomplished with distinction. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. SAF/MRBP recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01359
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. The original award approval authority determined the AFCM was the appropriate award to recognize the applicant's outstanding achievement on 22 Mar 75. A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 05077
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The applicant only provided a copy of the approved citation for his DMSM in support of his request. The applicant was recommended for and awarded the DMSM as the appropriate award for recognition of his...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 03719
Per AFM 900-3, Decorations, Service Awards, Unit Awards, Special Badges, Favorable Communications, Certificates, and Special Devices (20 Jan 72), Chapter 3, Paragraph 3-1(3), Only one decoration may be awarded for the same act, achievement or period of service. Further, per AFM 900-3, and AFI 36-2803, Air Force Awards and Decorations Program, criteria for award of the BSM is for Heroic or meritorious achievement or service (not involving aerial flight). The complete MRBP evaluation is at...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 02456
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. The DMSM will not be awarded for any period of service for which a Military Department medal is awarded. The applicant was recommended for a DMSM, not a BSM.
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 05763
On 26 Feb 13, the Director, Military Personnel Human Resources Directorate was notified that the applicant was awarded the JSCM, dated 9 May 12, and was subsequently awarded the JSCM (1OLC), dated 11 Oct 12, for the same act and period. There is no evidence in the applicants record, nor did the applicant provide any official documentation verifying he or his chain of command attempted to exhaust administrative avenues by requesting reconsideration of the downgrade through the original...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 00061
After receiving an Article 15 subsequent to her deployment, the Air Force revoked the BSM and she was never issued the medal. Additionally, Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 requires an award be revoked if subsequent information is revealed that would not have warranted the award had it been known at the time of the award. The actions by the approval authority to revoke the BSM are correct and well within the regulations, as the applicants service during the inclusive award period was not...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 02624
While it is noted the applicants AF IMT 3994, Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations, dated , does not mention the BSM, and the applicant does not have a recommendation for upgrade from someone with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement, preferably from someone within his chain of command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed citation, or eyewitness statements, AFPC/DPSIDR believed based on the MSM recommendation package the applicant's actions were at...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01060
On 2 Dec 66, the former service member was transferred from the NY ANG to the Air Force Reserve. There is no official documentation in the decedent's record, nor did the next of kin provide any with this request, to verify the decedent was recommended for or awarded the DFC or the BSM, w/1BOLC. The DFC may be awarded to any persons who, after 6 Apr 17, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while...