RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00141 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) be added onto his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He received the AFCM after he had separated, and his DD Form 214 was never updated to reflect the award. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 7 Dec 81. On 6 Nov 87, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 5 years and 11 months of active service. On 18 Apr 15, AFPC/DPSIDR directed the applicant’s DD Form 214 be corrected to change “Air Force Outstanding Unit Award” to read “Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. ” 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 denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, below the grade of Colonel and foreign military personnel, who, while serving in any capacity with the Department of the Air Force after 28 Mar 58, distinguished themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service. A thorough review of the applicant’s official military record did not reveal any documentation such as a Special Order or AFCM citation to indicate he received the AFCM. The Special Order is the official source document for verifying award of this decoration. However, DPSID did determine the applicant earned the AFOUA w/2BOLC and are administratively correcting his record to include this award. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In further support of his request, the applicant submitted a brief personal statement, and a copy of the citation to accompany the award of the AFCM to the applicant. He apologized for not submitting the citation initially, but he had to first locate it at his parents’ house (Exhibit E). 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. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. While we note the comments of AFPC/DPSID indicating that relief should be denied because the applicant’s records contain no documentation substantiating the applicant’s contention that he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted. In this respect, we note the applicant has provided a copy of what appears to be an authentic AFCM citation which awarded him the AFCM. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as 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 he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service covering the period 19 November 1985 to 6 November 1987. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00141 in Executive Session on 8 Sep 15, 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 Form 149, dated 7 Jan 15, w/atch. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 18 Apr 15. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jun 15. Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 16 Jun 15, w/atchs