RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01975 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be awarded the following decorations and awards: a. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters - administratively corrected. b. The Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour – administratively corrected. c. The USAF Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon – administratively corrected. d. The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). 2. His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be amended to add M-60 Machine Gunner (Specialist) to item 14 (Military Education) – administratively corrected. 3. His narrative reason for separation (Placed on Temporary Disability Retirement List) be changed to read Permanent Disability Retirement List (PDRL). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was awarded the AFCM for his service with the 690th Electronic Security Wing from 12 October to 10 April 1989. In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of the AFCM citation for the period 12 Oct 87 – 10 Apr 89, a copy of his retirement order and other documents extracted from his military personnel records. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 17 September 1985. A Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) convened on 7 April 1989 and referred the applicant's case to an Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) with diagnoses of lefort III fracture of the face, fracture of anterior/posterior walls of frontal sinus, right patellar fracture, massive intracranial hemorrhage, massive cerebral edema, and barbiturate coma. On 11 April 1989, the IPEB found him unfit because of physical disability and recommended temporary retirement. On 18 May 1993 the IPEB reexamined the applicant and found him unfit for further military service and recommended permanent retirement with a disability rating of 60%. The applicant agreed with the findings and recommended disposition of the IPEB. On 23 June 1993, the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force directed the applicant be removed from the TDRL and permanently retired. He served 3 years, 6 months and 24 days on active duty and was credited with 1 year, 6 months and 1 day of foreign service. On 8 August 2011, AFPC/DPSD advised the applicant that when a member is removed from the TDRL, a new DD Form 214 is not issued. Rather, his new order indicates his final status. This order becomes a permanent part of his military personnel file, and can be attached to his DD Form 214 reflecting the final disposition of permanent retirement. He was permanently retired from the TDRL on 3 July 1993. DPSIDR states they were able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long Tour, and the USAF Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon. The applicant’s records will be updated accordingly. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the AFCM. DPSIDR states they were unable to locate special orders awarding the applicant the AFCM, or official documentation recommending him for the AFCM. The DPSIDR complete evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 28 October 2011, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). 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 provides a reasonable basis to conclude he was awarded the AFCM. In regard to the applicant’s request to change his narrative reason for separation, we note that as stated in the AFPC/DPSD letter dated 8 August 2011, when a member is removed from the TDRL, a new DD Form 214 is not issued. Rather, his new order can be attached to his DD Form 214 reflecting the final disposition of permanent retirement. Therefore, we recommend his record be corrected to the extent indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be amended in block 13, to include the award of the Air Force Commendation Medal. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01975 in Executive Session on 14 December 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01975 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 May 2011, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 25 August 2011, w/atchs. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 October 2011.