RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00520 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
1.	His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect the following:

a.	Bronze Star Medal with Valor (BSM w/V).
b.	Purple	Heart	Medal with	two	Bronze	Oak	Leaf	Clusters (PH Medal w/2BOLC).

c.	Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze Loops (GCM w/2BrLps) (Previously Annotated).

d.	National	Defense	Service	Medal	(NDSM)(Administratively Resolved).

e.	Master Jump Wings.
2.	His	grade	of	Airman	Third	Class	(A3C/E-2)	be	changed	to Technical Sergeant (TSgt/E-6).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He enlisted in the Air Force in 1958, one year after his discharge from the Army in 1957 and he was given an upgrade to the rank of TSgt. His original DD Form 214 reflected the same but was destroyed. He received a subsequent copy but it is illegible.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Army from 3 Nov 54 to 20 Oct 56 and was honorably discharged in the rank of Private. The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 1 Apr 58.

On 30 Mar 62, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 5 years, 11 months, and 17 days of total active service.

It appears the service member’s official military personnel record was heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973, limiting the documentation available for review.

The applicant’s DD Form 214, dated 30 Mar 62, reflects award of the Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze Loops (GCM w/2BrLps).

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C, D, and E.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSOE recommends denial of the applicant’s request for change of rank from A3C to TSgt, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. There was no official documentation in the applicant’s record to verify he  was promoted the rank of A3C (E-2).  The applicant’s delay regarding a matter now dating back almost 52 years has greatly complicated its ability to determine the merits of his position. While the applicant may have been deserving of promotion, he has not provided any official documentation supporting his claim. Therefore, in absence of documentation to the contrary, we must assume he was discharged in the proper grade.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOE evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial for award of the BSM w/V and the PH w/2BOLC, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  They also point out the request was not submitted in a timely manner.

The BSM is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, distinguishes themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The PH Medal is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded, killed, or who have died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States or opposing force as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed force, an international terrorist

attack or during military operations while serving as a part of a peacekeeping force. A wound for which the award is made must have required treatment, not merely examination, by a medical officer. Additionally, treatment of the wound shall be documented in the service member’s medical and/or health record. Award of the PH Medal may be made for wounds treated by a medical professional other than a medical officer, provided a medical officer includes a statement in the service member’s medical record that the extent of the wounds were such that they would have required treatment by a medical officer if one had been available to treat them.

Of the records that were available to review, they were not able to locate any official documentation, nor was any provided by the applicant, to verify he met the eligibility criteria for the award of the BSM w/V or the PH w/2BOLC.

In order to reasonably consider the request, the applicant needs to submit a recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement preferably from someone within his chain of command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed citation and eye witness statements of those who can attest to the act/achievement for which he is requesting the BSM.

Regarding the PH Medal, there is no evidence the applicant suffered an injury through enemy contact. A detailed personal account of how the injury occurred, medical documentation substantiating an injury which required medical treatment at the time the injury occurred, and eyewitness statements from individuals who saw the applicant receive the injury were not provided.

Furthermore, there is insufficient documentation to reasonably consider the applicant’s request. DPSID also recommends disapproval due to the fact that the request was not filed in a timely manner.

Based on the review  of the applicant’s military personnel record, his eligibility for the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was verified. Upon final board decision the record will be administratively corrected.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D.
AF/A3OM recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The applicant did not provide any evidence to corroborate that he completed the Basic Airborne Course or was on jump status anytime during his  military service. In accordance with AFM 35-13, Flying Status, Aeronautical Ratings Designations and Parachute Jump Status, dated 1 Jan 58, Paragraph 2a., to qualify as an Air Force Parachutist, personnel must: (1) Possess a parachutist rating from either the United States Army or Navy or (2) Have satisfactorily completed the Basic Airborne Course at the Army
Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgie, including at least five actual jumps. Paragraph 2c., to qualify for the Air Force Master Parachutist, personnel must be on jump status and; (1) Possess a Master Parachutist rating from either the United States Army or Navy or (2) have a Parachutist rating or Senior Parachutist rating granted by the Army or Navy and in addition
(a) have completed a minimum of 60 months on jump status since original rating as a Parachutist and (b) have accomplished a minimum of 65 jumps, three of which made during darkness and 15 of which were made with full equipment required for an operational mission and (c) be certified a jumpmaster.

The documentation provided did not indicate that the applicant completed the Basic Airborne Course and was on jump status or awarded the Basic, Senior or Master Parachutist Badge from the Army, Navy or Air Force.

A complete copy of the AF/A3OM evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air  Force evaluations was forwarded to the applicant on 3 Sep 15, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F). 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 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 warranting correction of the applicant’s records to reflect award of the Bronze Star Medal with Valor (BSM w/V), Purple Heart Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (PH Medal w/2BOLC), Master Jump Wings, and promotion to Technical Sergeant (TSgt). We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. As for his request for the Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze Loops (GCM w/2BrLps), in view of the fact that the GCM w/2BrLps is already reflected in the  applicant’s records, no action by this Board is required. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), and will correct his
1.	

records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively.

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material 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-2015-00520 in Executive Session on 8 Oct 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00520 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 5 Feb 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOE, dated 27 Feb 15. Exhibit D.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 10 Aug 15. Exhibit E.	Memorandum, AF/A3OM, dated 1 Sep 15.
Exhibit F.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Sep 15