RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00960 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 Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was awarded the DSSM when he retired from the Air Force. He was told the DSSM would be added to his DD Form 214, and a copy would be mailed to him. In support of the request, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, a personal statement, a citation for award of the DSSM, with certificate, and a photograph. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Air Force and progressively promoted to the grade of lieutenant colonel. He retired in the grade of lieutenant colonel on 1 Aug 89, after serving 21 years, 1 month, and 3 days of active service. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the applicant provided a copy of the DSSM certificate and citation. However, he has not provided a copy of the special order authorizing the DSSM. DPSIDR indicates that without the special order they are unable to verify his entitlement. The complete DPSIDR 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 13 Aug 10, for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). _________________________________________________________________ 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 error or injustice. After a thorough review of the applicant’s submission and the available evidence of record, we are persuaded that relief is warranted. In this regard, we note a copy of special order J-1SO-0232-89 was provided as evidence and reflects the applicant was awarded the DSSM upon his retirement from the Air Force. However, due to administrative error, a copy of the special order was not made a part of his military record. In view of the above, we recommend that his records be corrected to the extent indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his length of service retirement, be amended in Section 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to reflect award of the Defense Superior Service Medal. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2010-00960 in Executive Session on 26 Oct 10, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The Board voted to correct the record, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 5 Mar 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 3 Aug 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Aug 10.