RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02892 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) and any other medals he may be entitled to. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He believes he was nominated for the AFCM; however, due to many unusual circumstances, the AFCM was either missed due to a number of reassignments, or was never awarded although he earned the medal. He provides a letter of support from a retired Marine officer that points out that he was the officer selected to prepare the text for the award. However, after creating the award recommendation, he personally handed it over to the hospital’s executive officer for his review and action as deemed appropriate. The officer was shocked to find out that he was never awarded the AFCM. The officer states that he does not know if the award was lost or misdirected because of unit designations, or was lost due to his reassignments in the CONUS or overseas assignment. The retired officer states that the applicant “deserves to be recognized for his outstanding and courageous service to the USAF, and by the USAF Medical Service Corps of which he was a dedicated servant.” In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, a copy of a letter of support, and a copy of an unsigned award citation. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force and was retired in the grade of major (0-3) on 1 Apr 68. The AFCM criterion: The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force after 25 Mar 58, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though not involve the voluntary risk of life required for the Soldier’s Medal (or the Airman’s Medal now authorized for the Air Force). Additional relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force. Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in this Record of Proceedings. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the applicant provided an unsigned citation; however, no special order could be located to verify the applicant was submitted for, or ever received the AFCM. Therefore, without official documentation that verifies the applicant is entitled to the AFCM, DPSIDR cannot support this request. The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant responded by stating he had a BCMR case in 1963- 1968 which ended when the U.S. Court of Claims got involved and his claims were upheld, as was his character, integrity and quality of service. He states that a partial copy of the USCC decision supporting this summary was made a part of his claim document. He regrets not knowing about being recommended for the award of AFCM until after he had a brief conversation with a former associate. He cannot reach out to other associates due to the passage of time and the fact that the retired roster has declined considerably. By review of his past service records, it should be obvious that his pattern of behavior has remained constant and he should be awarded the AFCM. The applicant’s complete submission is at 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. 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 basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or 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-2011-02892 in Executive Session on 16 Nov 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Apr 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 12 Sep 11. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Oct 11. Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 30 Oct 11. Panel Chair