RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04741

  ()					COUNSEL:  NONE

  ()					HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her deceased father be awarded the Air Medal (AM).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Transmittal of and/or Entitlement to Awards document, dated 25 Aug 67, indicates her father should receive the AM with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (BOLC).  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The decedent initially entered the Army Air Corps on 16 Jul 40.

On 20 Aug 45, the decedent was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with five years, one month, and five days of active service.  

On 27 Jun 16, the NPRC notified the AFBCMR the decedent’s records were destroyed by fire on 12 Jul 73. 

The AM is awarded to United States military and civilian personnel for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight and foreign military personnel in actual combat in support of operations.  Required achievement is less than that required for the Distinguished Flying Cross, but must be accomplished with distinction above and beyond that expected of professional airmen. 

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.  After a thorough review of the decedent’s limited personnel record, AFPC/DP3SP was unable to verify the award of the AM with one BOLC.  Although the next of kin provided a NPRC Transmittal of and/or Entitlement to Awards (NA Form 13059), dated 25 Aug 67, which erroneously checked the box for the AM and a BOLC, the NPRC subsequently issued another NA Form 13059, dated 16 Apr 14, where they did not validate an AM.  There is no official documentation, such as a recommendation or Special Order, in the decedent's official military personnel record, nor was any provided with this request, to verify the he was recommended for or awarded the AM with one BOLC.  In order to reasonably consider the next of kin's request, she will need to submit a recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement preferably from someone within the applicant's chain of command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed citation, and eyewitness statements from those who can attest to the act/achievement.

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 6 Sep 16 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 an 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 office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  However, based on the decedent’s limited records at the National Archives and Records Administration and beyond the suggestions of the office of primary responsibility, the Board suggests the applicant seek assistance with the decedent’s unit historian as a potential option to garner additional evidence.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

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-2015-04741 in Executive Session on 28 Mar 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Nov 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 16 Aug 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 6 Sep 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.