RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04449 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be entitled to award of the following medals: 1. The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM). (Admin Corrected) 2. The Air Force Overseas Tour (Short) (AFOR-ST). (Admin Corrected) 3. The Air Force Overseas Tour (Long) (AFOR-LT). (Admin Corrected) 4. The Air Force Achievement Medal, with One Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM, w/1OLC). 5. The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, with Gold Border (AFESR, w/GB). (Admin Corrected) APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: These medals were missing on his DD Form 214 and should have been included; however, he is not sure why they were not listed. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 26 Oct 04, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force. On 25 Oct 08, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve. He was credited with 4 years of active service, including 1 year, 3 months, and 1 day of foreign service. On 16 Feb 15, the applicant’s record was administratively corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM); the Iraq Campaign Medal, with One Bronze Service Star (ICM, w/1BSS); AFOR-ST; AFOR-LT, AFESR, w/GB and the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID did not provide a recommendation; however, they requested the Board make a decision on the merits of the case for award of the AFAM, w/1OLC. DPSID notes that although the applicant's records contain an AFAM, w/1OLC certificate/citation with an annotated Special Order, there is no record of a basic award, raising the issue that the AFAM, w/1OLC may be an error. Based on the documentation available, unless the applicant has in his possession a Special Order awarding him the basic award of the AFAM, it appears Special Order GA-00211 should be corrected to reflect as the applicant's basic award and not the First Oak Leaf Cluster. Further, although there is a signed certificate/citation for the AFAM, w/1OLC, per 18th Civil Engineer Group Special Order GA-00211, with a “Given Under My Hand” date of 25 Oct 08, they were unable to locate an order, certificate, or recommendation for the basic award of the AFAM. The award inclusive period on Special Order GA-00211 is from 9 Oct 06 to 25 Oct 08; the applicant served on active duty from 26 Oct 04 to 25 Oct 08. DPSID contacted Air Force Central Command to inquiry if the applicant had possibly received the basic award of the AFAM for his deployment to Iraq in 2007; however, they did not possess any documentation showing he received an AFAM. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 6 Mar 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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 was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, a majority of the Board believes the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. The Board considered the comments from AFPC/DPSID suggesting that, because the applicant's record is absent documentation substantiating the applicant was awarded the basic AFAM, it is possible that the Air Force Achievement Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster may be an error. Nonetheless, the Board’s majority believes a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted. Based on the copies of the AFAM, w/1OLC award elements provided by the applicant, the Board’s majority believes that it is more likely than not that the AFAM, w/1OLC was appropriately awarded. The Board’s majority also noted this information is consistent with the number of medals listed in the applicant’s record in the Military Personnel Data System (MILPDS). Therefore, the majority of the Board recommends 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 25 Oct 08, in Items 13, Decoration, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, be amended to reflect award of the Air Force Achievement Medal, with One Oak Leaf Cluster. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04449 in Executive Session on 2 Jul 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member By a majority vote, the Board voted to correct the records as recommended. ------- voted to deny, but he does not wish to submit a Minority Report. The following documentary evidence pertaining to was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Pertinent Excerpts from Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Feb 15, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Mar 15.