RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02808

	COUNSEL: NONE	

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, effective 26 November 1971, be corrected to reflect he was authorized and awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His AFCM was omitted from his DD Form 214.  He did not realize this award could or should be listed on his DD Form 214.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former Air Force sergeant (E-4).   

On 21 November 2016, AFPC/DP1SSP, was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the following Air Force Awards, Medals, and Ribbons and his records will be administratively corrected:  

 	a.  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & lBOLC).

	b.  Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P).

	c.  Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).

	d.  Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3BSS) instead of Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel records, there was no evidence to verify award of the AFCM.  While the applicant provided a memorandum, which recommended award of the AFCM as an end of tour decoration, there was no official documentation located verifying the recommendation processed through proper channels.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 10 February 2017 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice with respect to his request to be awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  The Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  While the applicant asserts a date of discovery less than three years before the Board’s receipt of the application, the Board does not find the assertion reasonable.  Therefore, aside from the administrative corrections noted above, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.  

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-02808 in Executive Session on 19 June 2018:

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02808:

Exhibit A: Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 11 July 2016.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, w/atch, dated 21 November 2016.
	Exhibit D: Notification of Advisory, AFBCMR to applicant, dated 10 February 2017.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.