RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2016-04119

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect award of the Air Medal. 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He received the Air Medal in 1968, but it was not included on his DD Form 214.  The applicant also states he earned it, and it was brought to his attention by a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) member in 2016.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was discharged from the Air Force as a sergeant.  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, indicating that after a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record they were unable to verify award of the Air Medal.  The applicant’s Air Force Form 909, Airman Performance Report, dated 25 Jul 68 states, “he received the Air Medal for more than twenty combat sorties.”  However, a Special Order was not located nor provided.  The Special Order is the official source document to verify award of the Air Medal.

The applicant should have been awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/3BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) for his service from 25 Mar 66 to 15 Jan 70.  Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM. 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 8 Oct 17 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was 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 the victim of an error and injustice.  While the Board notes the comments of AFPC/DP3SP recommending against relief, the Board believes a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  In particular, the Air Force Form 909, Airman Performance Report, dated 25 Jul 68, is an official record of the Air Force.  Under the presumption of regularity, the Board concludes more likely than not the Air Force Form 909 is accurate.   Therefore, the Board recommends 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 reflect that Block 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, of his 15 January 1970 DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States, Report of Transfer or Discharge, indicates the award of the Air Medal.

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-2016-04119 in Executive Session on 2 Aug 18:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 6 Oct 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 13 Jan 17.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 6 Oct 17.

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