RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-03615
		
						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His AFCM was awarded to him on 18 September 1971; however, it is not annotated on his DD Form 214.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 6 December 1967.  

On 15 September 1971, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 9 months, and 10 days of active service.  

On 27 April 1972, the 63rd Air Base Group, Chief, Personal Affairs Section, notified the applicant of his award for the AFCM.  

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends approval.  The applicant provided what appears to be an authentic copy of a signed certificate and citation for award of the AFCM, signed by the Seventh Air Force, Commander, for the inclusive period 12 September 1970 to 12 September 1971.  
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 March 1958, distinguish themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service.  

A Special Order is the official source documentation authorizing a decoration.  However, the Special Order awarding the applicant the AFCM cannot be located.  If the board grants the relief sought, a Special Order will be accomplished.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 23 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 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.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  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 that his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 15 September 1971, release from active duty, be amended in Block 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to reflect the Air Force Commendation Medal.  

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03615 in Executive Session on 9 August 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03615 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 August 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 8 April 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 23 May 2016.