RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00979

 XXXXXXXXXXXXX (DECEASED)		COUNSEL:  NONE

 XXXXXXXXXXXXX (APPLICANT)		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His brother’s official DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, Block 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) be changed to include the medals that are specified on the photo copy he found after his brother’s death.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The decorations included on his brother’s DD Form 214 do not mirror the DD form 214 he received from the National Archives.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The former member entered the Regular Air Force on 4 March 1960.

According to Special Order AC-936 dated 21 January 1964, the former member retired effective 11 February 1964, by reason of physical disability.

The former member’s DD Form 214, Block 26, indicates he was awarded the Air Force Longevity Service Award.

According to the former member’s Department of Health Death Certificate, he died on 21 July 2014.

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/DP3SP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The DD Form 214 provided by the applicant, labeled “1” appears to have been altered after the original was completed, which calls into question the authenticity of the entries.  Furthermore, the entries are illegible in some areas and those that can be read are not the standard acronyms used for awards and decorations; consequently AFPC/DP3SP is unable to verify the authenticity of the entries.  The DD Form 214 found in the former member's official military personnel record appears to be authentic and unaltered.  Therefore, this is the official source document and will be used to correct any additional awards that have been verified.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoD Manual 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.

AFPC/DPSID was able to verify the former member’s entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.  Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the former member’s official military personnel records will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 9 May 2016, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  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 OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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-2015-00979 in Executive Session on 14 June 2016, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00979 was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 March 2015, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 2 May 2016, w/atch.
Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 9 May 2016.