RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02445 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be considered for the Airman’s medal or, in the alternative, any other medal as appropriate. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He deserves to be awarded the Airman’s Medal (AmnM) for his actions on 19 Jun 01. His commander was going to submit him for the AmnM; however, he was told because he had an Article 15 the previous year that he would not give an award to someone with non-judicial punishment. The deed he performed for the Air Force should be recognized. He is currently serving with the Army Reserves and is extremely proud of what he did that day and feels he deserves some type of award. In support of his request, the applicant provides an unsigned citation, a copy of a letter of appreciation, and an excerpt from AFI 36-2803, Awards and Decorations. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 16 Jul 98 and was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-3), having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 17 Jun 01. He received an honorable discharge on 30 Nov 02 after serving 4 years, 4 months, and 15 days on active duty. The AmnM Criteria: It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly nation who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force after the date of the award's authorization, who have distinguished himself or herself by a heroic act, usually at the voluntary risk of his or her life but not involving actual combat. The saving of a life or the success of the voluntary heroic act is not essential. Do not award for normal performance of duties. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the applicant believes he should receive the AmnM for his actions on 19 Jun 01 while stationed at Travis AFB, CA. The applicant states he extinguished a fire that occurred in dorm 1356; due to his quick actions, there was minimal damage to the dorm. However, DPSIDR cannot recommend approval without official documentation that verifies he is entitled to the AmnM. The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 26 Aug 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no response. _________________________________________________________________ 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the primary basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the applicant himself points out the commander considered the applicant for an award; however, the applicant’s receipt of an article 15 resulted in his not receiving the award. Based on this, we are not persuaded the applicant is the victim of error injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-02445 in Executive Session on 29 Sep 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 22 Jun 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 19 Aug 11. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Aug 11.