RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:	BC-2008-01847 INDEX CODE:	107.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The day he retired, the personnel technician told him he had been awarded the AFCM; however, it is not reflected on his DD Form 214.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal statement and a letter from the National Personnel Records Center.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 31 May 1971, the applicant was released from active duty and retired effective 1 June 1971 in the grade of technical sergeant (E-6). He served 20 years and 11 months on active duty. His DD Forms 214 reflect he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Force Expeditionary Medal.

On 24 June 2008, the applicant’s DD Form 214 was corrected to add the Presidential Unit  Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Additionally, his DD Form 214 was corrected to add the “V” (Valor) device and two Oak Leaf Clusters

to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and two Bronze Service Stars to his Vietnam Service Medal.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR defers to the Board’s decision on the applicant’s request for the AFCM. DPSIDR states the applicant provided the citation awarding him the AFCM upon his retirement; however, he has not provided the Special Order.  The applicant also provided a letter from his commander, dated at the time of his retirement, lauding the applicant’s performance and accomplishments which were identified in the AFCM citation.

The DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 25 July 2008, a copy of the Air Force advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no response.

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. Although the applicant was unable to provide a copy of a special order awarding him the AFCM, we believe the documentation he provided in the form of an AFCM citation and letter of commendation from his commander provides a reasonable basis to conclude he was awarded the AFCM.  While his award of the AFCM cannot be verified with certainty from the available record of evidence, in the interest of equity and justice, we elect to resolve any doubt in favor of the applicant. Accordingly, we recommend his record be corrected as 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 on 31 May 1974,

he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, for meritorious service during the period 7 October 1969 to 31 May 1974.

The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 9 September 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair 
Member
Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008- 01847 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, not dated, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 17 Jul 08. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Jul 08.