RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-03855
				INDEX CODE:  107.00
				COUNSEL:  NONE
				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  Administrative corrections be made to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Discharge or Release from Active Duty.

2.  His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) and the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was told by a personnel officer that he had been awarded the AFCM for his performance at Interceptor Weapons School.

In support of his application, he provided a personal statement, a copy of his DD Form 214, his Marine Corps Discharge Certificate, Special Order Number 70, his Retirement Orders, the citations to his MSM, Special Order G-6, Optional Form 41, a letter requesting a copy of the AFCM, and a chronology of his service dates.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 Mar 51 for a period of four years.  He was appointed as a second lieutenant on 2 Aug 52. He was progressively promoted to lieutenant colonel on 1 Mar 69.  He was honorably retired on 1 Jan 78.  He served 27 years, 8 months, and 15 days on active duty.

On 28 Jan 08, A DD Form 215 was issued adding the MSM to his DD Form 214.  The Board staff has been advised that the corrections to Items 15 and 18 on his DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of award of the AFCM.  DPSIDR states in accordance with the Department of Defense (DOD) Manual 1348.33-M the AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force after 24 Mar 58, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service.  The degree of merit must be distinctive, though it need not be unique.  Acts of courage which do not involve the voluntary risk of life required for the Soldier’s Medal (or the Airman’s Medal now authorized for the Air Force) may be considered for the AFCM.  DPSIDR further states the AF Form 642, Recommendation for Decoration, reflects the General was pleased to note his accomplishments, but after fully considering the recommendation, decided that his service cited was commendable but did not warrant the AFCM. 

The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 22 Feb 08, for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice warranting correction of his records to include award of the AFCM.  In this respect, it appears that applicant was recommended for award of the AFCM for his performance at the Interceptor Weapons School.  However, the approval authority determined his performance did not warrant award of the AFCM and disapproved the recommendation.  Finding no evidence that the senior Air Force officer abused his discretionary authority in this matter, we agree with the opinion and the recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or an injustice.  Therefore, with exception to the corrections made to his records administratively, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting further relief.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-03855 in Executive Session on 8 April 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 8 Nov 07, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 14 Jan 08.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Feb 08.