RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04330 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge be corrected to reflect the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His AFCM was omitted from the list of medals he received from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of his AFCM Certificate, Citation and a memorandum. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 13 Nov 66, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. He served 20 years and 18 days of total active service. The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force after 24 Mar 58, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though it need not be unique. Acts of courage which do not involve the voluntary risk of life required for the Airman’s Medal may be considered for the AFCM. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends approval. Although, they did not locate a special order, the applicant provided a signed certificate and citation which appears to be authentic with a given under my hand date of 11 Jan 71, which was over a month prior to his release date. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 24 Jan 14, 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 an error or injustice to warrant amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 to include the AFCM. Although the applicant did not provide a copy of the special order awarding the AFCM, we find the signed certificate and citation provided in support of his request sufficient to conclude that he was awarded the AFCM for meritorious service. Therefore we recommend his records be corrected to reflect the award of the AFCM. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as set forth below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 28 February 1971, release from active duty, be amended to include the Air Force Commendation Medal. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2013-04330 in Executive Session on 26 Jun 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 Forms 149, dated 22 Aug 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 2 Jan 14 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Jan 14 Panel Chair