RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03887 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) be added to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. 2. Any ribbons and medals that he entitled to be added to his DD Form 214. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider her untimely application because he would like his DD Form 214 to be accurate. In support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of his MSM citation. The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 1 April 1981 to 31 August 2001. He was honorable discharged and credited with a total of 20 years and 5 months of active duty. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends approval of the applicant’s request to add the MSM to his DD Form 214. Although DPSID is unable to locate a special order verifying award of the MSM, the applicant provided what appears to be an authentic copy of a signed certificate for award of the MSM with an inclusive period of 1 October 1998 to 31 July 2001. A duplicate copy of the MSM was located in the applicant’s official military personnel record. Should the Board approve the applicant’s request; a special order will be accomplished so that the applicant's record can be updated. DPSID is unable to verify any additional awards for his service between 1 April 1981 and 31 August 2001. To grant relief would be would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 12 January 2015, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 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 an error or injustice to warrant adding additional awards or decorations to the applicant’s DD Form 214 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 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 favorably consider this portion of the applicant’s request. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice to warrant adding the MSM to his DD Form 214. Having carefully reviewed this application, we agree with the recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has been the victim of either an error or an injustice. Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records 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 the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 31 August 2001 discharge, be amended in Block 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized (All Periods of Service), to reflect the Meritorious Service Medal. The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 9 June 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03887 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 September 2014, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 5 December 2014. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 January 2015.