RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-01711 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Airman’s Medal (AmnM) for his actions following the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was put in for the AmnM for his action in Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE; however, in Nov 11, it was denied. The Board has since ruled that the teams’ actions did indeed meet the requirements of the AmnM. The Pararescueman (PJ) Team Leader had his medal approved; and due to the fact that the medals were submitted for the same actions, it stands to reason that he should receive this award as well. Considering both put their lives in considerable risk to rescue trapped Americans and Haitians. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in Port-au-Prince, Haiti as a Pararescue team member while assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, in direct support of Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE, from 13 to 23 Jan 10. The five man team was attached to the Fairfax County Urban Search and Recovery team while in Haiti. On 5 May 10, the Air Force Decorations Board (AFDB) considered and denied the applicant’s request for award of the AmnM. On 2 Nov 11, the AFDB considered and denied the Air Force Special Operations Commander’s (AFSOC/CC) request for reconsideration for the AmnM. On 2 Aug 12, the AFBCMR considered and granted the Team Leader’s request for award of the AmnM for his actions during Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE. On 17 Sep 13, the AFBCMR denied the Team Leader’s request for entitlement to the 10 percent pay increase for retirement pay. The AmnM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States or foreign military personnel who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroism involving voluntary risk of life under conditions other than those of actual conflict with an enemy. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting corrective action. We note the AmnM was awarded to the Team Leader and the applicant believes he should be awarded the AmnM for the same reasons. After carefully reviewing the available evidence, it is our opinion that the applicant’s request should be approved. In this respect, we note that each member of the team played an equal role in the mission’s success. Moreover, their individual acts of heroism were consistent with those of the Team Leader and involved the same voluntary risk of life under extreme conditions against insurmountable odds. In view of this, we find the evidence is sufficient to recommend approval for the AmnM. Although not requested by the applicant, generally, when an AmnM is awarded, the Secretary of the Air Force, Personnel Council (SAFPC) determines entitlement to a 10 percent increase in retirement pay. In view of this, we considered the applicant for the additional pay; however, we did not find substantive evidence that his actions on the days in question rose to the level of "extraordinary," as required for award of the 10 percent increase in retired pay. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend approval for entitlement to an additional 10 percent increase at retirement. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to the extent 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 he was awarded the Airman’s Medal for his heroism involving voluntary risk of life while participating in Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE from 13 January 2010 to 23 January 2010. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-01711 in Executive Session on 31 Jan 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Apr 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Redacted Copy of Precedent Case. 1 2