RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04668

 					COUNSEL:  NONE

					HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Airman’s Medal (AM).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He assisted a civilian pilot and three passengers, who were in 
distress.  He believes his commanding officer did not submit him 
for the medal because of personal bias.  His AF Form 77, Officer 
Effectiveness Report (OER), dated 2 Apr 57, recounts the 
incident.  

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 12 Apr 53, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air 
Force.

On 2 Apr 57, his rater signed his OER covering the period 1 Dec 
56 to 31 Mar 57.  The report supports the applicant’s rendition 
of the events however; there is no recommendation for an award 
of any kind for his actions.

On 7 Jul 61, the applicant received an honorable discharge from 
the Regular Air Force.  He was credited with 8 years, 2 months 
and 26 days of service.  He had 12 years, 11 months and 27 days 
of total active service.  

The applicant joined the Air Force Reserve 8 Jul 61 and retired 
14 Mar 67 as a Major.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval indicating there is no 
evidence in the applicant’s record, nor did the applicant 
present any, to support award of the AM.  The act in which the 
applicant is requesting award does not meet the intent of the 
decoration as the applicant’s life was never at risk of danger.  
To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria 
established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and 
Awards, and AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations 
Program.  In addition, DPSID recommends disapproval due to 
untimeliness. 

The AM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States or foreign military personnel who, while serving in any 
capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish 
themselves by heroism involving risk of life under conditions 
other than those for actual conflict with an enemy.    

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

SAFPC recommends disapproval, concurring with AFPC/DPSID’s 
recommendation to disapprove the AM.  The AM requires a 
voluntary risk of life while attempting to save the life of 
another.  The applicant was on the ground in complete safety 
while he rendered assistance to the pilot and aircraft via a 
radio.  His actions do not meet the criteria for an AM.    

The complete SAFPC evaluation is at Exhibit D.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 1 Jul 15 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit E).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.


FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD:

After careful consideration of applicant’s request and the 
available evidence of record, we find the application untimely.  
Applicant did not file within three years after the alleged 
error or injustice was discovered as required by Title 10, 
United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction    
36-2603.  Applicant has not shown a plausible reason for the 
delay in filing, and we are not persuaded that the record raises 
issues of error or injustice which require resolution on the 
merits.  Thus, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of 
justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to file in a timely 
manner.


THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the 
interest of justice to waive the untimeliness.  It is the 
decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as 
untimely.


The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-04668 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Oct 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 18 Apr 15.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, SAFPC, dated 2 Jun 15.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Jul 15.