RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00634 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be reconsidered for award of the meritorious service medal (MSM). 2. His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) (To be administratively resolved). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was turned down for an MSM due to a serious personality conflict with his group commander. His duty performance was exemplary and warranted award of the MSM. He was the base communications officer at Taegu AB, Republic of Korea, commander of operating location B (OL-B) of the 2146th Communications Group, and Director of Communications for the 390th Fighter Wing, a position way above his pay grade. He knows of no other situation in Air Force history when a non-commissioned officer held such a level and scope of responsibility. Unfortunately, he suffered constant harassment by the group commander for over a two-year period. As a result, he was denied the recognition he deserved. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of various excerpts from his military personnel records, which include several airman performance reports (APR), correspondence related to the correction of two of his APRs, and several letters and certificates of appreciation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________ ______________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records indicate he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 25 Jul 52 in the grade of airman basic (E-1) for a period of four years and was progressively promoted to the grade of senior master sergeant (E-8), effective and with a date of rank of 1 Sep 73. On 31 Aug 79, the applicant was relieved from active duty and retired for length of service on 1 Sep 79. He was credited with 27 years, 1 month, and 6 days of total active service. On 12 May 10, AFPC/DPSIDR notified the applicant that they were able to verify his entitlement to the AFOUA and the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM) while he was assigned to the 2146th Communications Group, Taegu AB, Republic of Korea from 11 Mar 76 to 28 Feb 78. The MSM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguish themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to 16 January 1969. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial with respect to the applicant’s request for the MSM, indicating they were unable to verify his entitlement to the requested award. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 28 May 10 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ 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 warranting award of the MSM. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis for us to recommend granting his request for the MSM. We note the applicant’s request regarding the AFOUA. The Air Force office of primary responsibility has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the AFOUA, as well as the KDSM, and his records will be corrected administratively. Therefore, no action by the Board is required in this respect. ________________________________________________________________ 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. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-00634 in Executive Session on 5 Oct 10, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 1 Feb 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 6 May 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 May 10.