RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02753 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be amended to reflect award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The recommendation for award of the MSM was submitted prior to his 30 Apr 72 retirement; however, the award was not signed until 14 Jun 72. He received the citation and certificate in the mail and it was never entered on his DD Form 214. The Board should consider it in the interest of justice to consider his application as he served his country honorably for 22 years and he takes great pride in being a member of the Air Force. He made a natural assumption that the award would be added on his DD Form 214. In support of his request, the applicant submits copies of the MSM certificate and citation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 8 Oct 51, the applicant entered active duty. On 30 Apr 72, he was retired. He served 20 years, 6 months and 23 days on active duty. The MSM may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguishes themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service to the United States. It was established by Executive Order 11448 on 16 Jan 69. This award was established as the counterpart of the Bronze Star Medal for the recognition of meritorious noncombatant service. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends approval for award of the MSM. The applicant provided a signed certificate for award of the MSM for the period of 16 Oct 71 to 30 Apr 72, with a Given Under My Hand date of 14 Jun 72. He also provided a citation with the official seal for award period from 16 Oct 71 to 30 Apr 72, which is consistent with his release date of 30 Apr 72. Should the Board grant the relief sought, a special order will be accomplished and the MSM will be updated to the applicant’s DD Form 214. Based on DPSID’s review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were able to determine the applicant should have also been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/1 BOLC), National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (NDSM w/1 BSS), Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3 BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). Upon the Board’s final determination, the applicant’s records will be amended to reflect these awards. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 25 Apr 14, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was provided to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has not received a 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 error or injustice. We agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis of our recommendation that the applicant be awarded the MSM for outstanding service in the culmination of his career. Therefore, in addition to the administrative relief awarding the AFOUA w/1 BOLC, NDSM w/1 BSS, VSM w/3 BSS and the RVNGC w/P, we recommend the applicant be awarded the MSM. _______________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to reflect that his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his retirement on 30 Apr 72, Item 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Meritorious Service Medal. ________________________________________________________________ All members voted to correct the records as indicated. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02753 in Executive Session on 9 Oct 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Dec 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 11 Apr 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Apr 14. 1 2