RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-01065 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Air Medal (AM). ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was recommended for award of the AM for sustained activity from Seventh Air Force. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of the AM recommendation letter from Seventh Air Force, his previous submission for award of the AM, and Congressional Inquiry documentation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who served on active duty from 16 January 1966 to 28 May 1969. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states the AM is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, subsequent to 8 September 1939, distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight. DPSID indicates that after a careful review of the applicant’s official military service records, they were unable to verify award the AM. The applicant previously submitted a request to AFPC/DPSIDR in 2005, requesting the AM; however, at that time he did not provide any documentation verifying his award of the AM; therefore, they denied his request. The applicant was also advised that in order for his request for the AM to be reasonably considered, he would need to provide a proposed citation, recommendation from someone who possess firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement, and eyewitness statements to help support his claim. As a result, the applicant provided an undated letter from Seventh Air Force indicating AM elements were forwarded for inclusion and posting to the applicant’s Unit Personnel Record; however, this is the extent of any documentation concerning award of the AM. The letter has a hand-written note in the upper left hand corner indicating the applicant’s rank, last name and “AFCM” [Air Force Commendation Medal]. The applicant did receive award of the AFCM for meritorious service as a Jet Engine Mechanic from 25 October 1967 to 25 August 1968 per Headquarters Seventh Air Force special Order G-2784, dated 10 September 1968. To grant the applicant’s request would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by Department of Defense Manual 1348.33. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit B. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 15 October 2013 for review and response 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. 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 that 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 to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ _ 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-2013-01065 in Executive Session on 1 April 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-01065: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Jul 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. DD Form 214/215, AFCM Citation, AF Form 7, AFCM Order, DPPPR Response to Appl’s 2005 Appeal. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Sep 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/MRBR, dated 15 Oct 13.