RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03978 

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was awarded the MSM prior to separating from active duty and it should be 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 28 Mar 84.

According to a signed certificate and citation provided by the applicant, he was awarded the MSM for the period of 19 Oct 94 to 9 May 98.

On 9 May 98, the applicant was released from active duty and credited with 14 years, 1 month, and 12 days of total active service.

On 11 Feb 11, the applicant was relieved from the Air Force Reserves and placed on the reserved retired list, effective 1 Jul 11.

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 granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the applicant's official military personnel record, DP3SP were unable to verify award of the MSM.

The applicant provided a signed certificate and citation as well as the first page of the Special Order for award of the MSM.  However, DP3SP were unable to locate the signature page of the Special Order.  The Special Order is the official source documentation for award of a decoration.  Although the signature page is missing, the first page with the applicant’s name awarding him the MSM appears to be authentic.

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 24 Apr 17 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 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, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 9 May 98 separation, be amended in Item 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00855 in Executive Session on 10 Aug 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 30 Sep 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 14 Jan 17.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 24 Apr 17.

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.