RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02708 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His deceased father’s records be corrected to reflect he was 
awarded the following awards: 

 

1. Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster (MSM, 
w/1 OLC). (Administratively corrected) 

 

2. Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

The awards were presented to his deceased father; however, they 
were never properly recorded on his DD Form 214, Report of 
Separation from Active Duty. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of his father’s death certificate, DD Form 
214, special orders, citations for the MSM and JSCM. 

 

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

 

_________________ ______________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 30 June 1977, the deceased member retired from the Regular 
Air Force in the grade of lieutenant colonel. He served 
29 years, 4 months, and 2 days of total active service. 

 

On 9 September 2010, AFPC/DPSIDR notified the applicant of his 
deceased father’s entitlement to the MSM, w/1 OLC. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the 
JSCM. DPSIDR is not authorized to make a decision on joint 
decorations; therefore, they are unable to verify the former 
member’s entitlement. 


The JSCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States who, after 1 January 1963, distinguished themselves by 
meritorious achievement of service. A bronze Valor device is 
authorized if the citation is for an act or service involving 
direct participation in combat operations during the period of 
25 June 1963 to 31 March 1967. Effective 1 April 1967, the valor 
device is authorized if the citation is approved for valor 
(heroism) in a designated combat area. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant provides a copy of the citation for the JSCM and 
states he was not sure if the previous copy of the JSCM was 
viewed along with the other documentation. 

 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at 
Exhibit E. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. While the 
applicant could not provide a copy of the order awarding the 
deceased member the JSCM, we believe the applicant has raised 
reasonable doubt that the deceased member received the JSCM 
award for his distinguished performance of duty in Vietnam. In 
view of the above, it is our opinion that any doubt in this 
matter should be resolved in the decease member’s favor and his 
records should be corrected as 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, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be, and 
hereby is, amended in Section 25, Decorations, Medals, Badges, 
Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or 
Authorized to reflect award of the Joint Service Commendation 
Medal (JSCM). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-
2010-02708 in Executive Session on 21 April 2011, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 21 Jul 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 10 Sep 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Oct 10. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated.