RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-01220
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  21 OCT 2008

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), AF Training Ribbon (AFTR), Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR), and the AF Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 does not reflect the awards he received during his service time from 1970 to 1978.  Applicant is trying to get all of his military service records and awards so that he can put together a display of his awards and records to pass on to his children.

In support of his appeal, applicant submitted a personal letter; his DD Forms 214, dated 7 Nov 74 and 7 Nov 78; photos documenting his medals, and a Report on Individual Personnel (RIP).

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 25 Nov 70 in the grade of airman basic.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant, with a date of rank of 1 May 73.  Applicant served in Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 54750, Heating Systems Specialist.

On 7 Nov 78, applicant was honorably discharged under the provisions of AFR 39-10 and was furnished an Honorable Discharge certificate, DD Form 256AF.  He was credited with 7 years, 11 months, and 13 days of active duty service.

Applicant’s records reflect award of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM), with two oak leaf clusters (2OLCs), National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).

On 16 May 07, applicant’s record was administratively corrected to reflect award of the AFTR.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application and recommended denial for award of the AFCM.  To be awarded the AFCM, members shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service.  Applicant did not provide the Special Order or citation awarding him the AFCM.  Additionally, while reviewing applicant’s military record, they were unable to verify his entitlement to the AFCM.

The AFOSR-S was not authorized until 12 Oct 80.  Therefore, applicant was not eligible for this ribbon.

HQ AFPC/DPPPR’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant reiterated his original contentions and request all of his records be reviewed prior to making a determination.  If any of his records are missing, he should be given the benefit of the doubt and be awarded the AFCM.

He wore the AFCM prior to his discharge and would have been court-martialed if he was not authorized to wear it.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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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 error or injustice warranting a correction to the record.  After a careful review of the evidence of record and that provided by the applicant, the Board noted the applicant’s record reflects award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to the extent indicated below.  

4.  Notwithstanding the above, no documentation was found to substantiate his eligibility for award of the Air Force Commendation Medal or the Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour.  In view of the above, we find no basis to recommend granting applicant’s request for the AFCM or the AFOSR-S.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued on 7 November 1974, be, and hereby is, amended in Section 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized to reflect the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-01220 in Executive Session on 15 August 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

XXXXXXXXXX, Panel Chair
XXXXXXXXXX, Member
XXXXXXXXXX, Member

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

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 15 Apr 07, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 11 May 07.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated .
     Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 4 Jun 07, w/atchs.

                                   XXXXXXXXXX
                                   Panel Chair