RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-05277
		
  						COUNSEL:  NONE

  						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His late father’s record be corrected to reflect the award of the Combat Readiness Medal (CRM) with two Oak Leaf Clusters.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His late father served continually in a combat ready status from 9 Oct 62 until 31 Mar 70 and met the criteria for the award of the CRM throughout the entire period.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s father initially enlisted in the New York Army National Guard on 23 Oct 39 and subsequently was commissioned a second lieutenant on 16 Sep 43.  

In Aug 62, the decedent attended the 11-week Missile Launch Officer training.  

According to the decedent’s Chronological Listing of Service and his AF Forms 707, Field Grade Officer Effectiveness Report, he had several duties as a missile combat crewmember from October 1962 until retirement.

On 1 Apr 70, the applicant retired and was credited with 22 years, 2 months, and 14 days of active service.

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/DPSID recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.

The Combat Readiness Medal is awarded to members of the Air Force for service after 1 Aug 60 for sustained individual combat or mission readiness or preparedness for direct weapon-system employment.  Specifically, a service member must meet the following criteria: complete an aggregate 24 months of sustained performance as a member of a combat or mission-ready unit subject to combat readiness reporting; or be individually certified as combat or mission ready and have maintained individual readiness the entire period according to a major headquarters; or be subject to an individual positional evaluation program according to a higher headquarters standard.

While there is no official documentation in the decedent’s record verifying he met the requirements for award of the CRM, due to the decedent serving as a missileer from October 1962 through March 1970, it is more likely than not he met the award criteria.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 15 Jun 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 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion.  Since the decedent served as a missileer from October 1962 through March 1970, it is more likely than not he met the basic award criteria to include, two oak leaf clusters.  Therefore, we recommend the decedent’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 DECEASED FORMER MEMBER be corrected to show that he was awarded the Combat Readiness Medal basic through Second Oak Leaf Cluster for sustained combat readiness from October 1962 through March 1970.  

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-05277 in Executive Session on 9 May 17 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 15 Dec 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Decedent’s Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 6 May 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 15 Jun 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.