RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05864 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His MSM was submitted in December 2003 and was subsequently lost or misplaced as the applicant served in a “rainbow unit” and served at many different locations. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of colonel. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends the board determine if the applicant's actions from 5 August 2003 to 20 November 2003 warrant award of the MSM Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. Should the board grant award of the MSM Second Oak Leaf Cluster, the Aerial Achievement Medal will need to be completely revoked by the original approval authority so that the MSM Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster may be awarded. However, should the applicant not be granted the relief sought, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to reflect award of the Meritorious Service Medal First Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. DPSID states the applicant provided Air Force IMT Form 3994, Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations, recommending him for award of the MSM for his service from 5 August 2003 to 20 November 2003 and an Exception to Policy Memorandum signed on 5 January 2010. The Exception to Policy Memorandum states that the original recommendation package was lost in processing. The applicant provided a signed written recommendation for award of the MSM from his former Commanding Officer, 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. The applicant also provided a proposed MSM citation for outstanding service 5 August 2003 to 20 November 2003, while assigned to the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. According to documentation within the applicant’s official military record, he has received award of the MSM First Oak Leaf Cluster per Special Order G-115 dated 20 September 2003. The recommendation package provided by the applicant only states the request is for the MSM; however, due to the applicant previously receiving award of the MSM First Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, this current request should be considered as a request for the MSM Medal Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, DPSIDR was able to locate Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center Special Order G-006717 dated 21 January 2010 awarding the applicant the Aerial Achievement Medal for meritorious achievement from 25 August 2003 to 19 December 2003 while assigned to the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It appears the applicant's service for which he is seeking the MSM Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster has already been recognized with award of the Aerial Achievement Medal. The proposed citation for the MSM Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster reads for nearly the same act/achievement and for nearly the same inclusive period as the approved Aerial Achievement Medal. Both citations speak of the applicant's lifesaving efforts in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. To also grant award of the MSM Second Oak Leaf Cluster would constitute dual recognition. The MSM Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster is currently annotated on the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty; however, according to official documentation the applicant currently only has the MSM First Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; therefore, the annotation on the applicant's DD Form 214 appears to be an administrative error. The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 15 September 2014, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application is timely filed. 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Furthermore, we agree with the OPR on the administrative correction to reflect the MSM First Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster rather than MSM Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2013-05864 in Executive Session on 8 January 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Forms 149, dated 26 December 2013, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 23 March 2014. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 September 2014.