RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04879 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to show the Air Medals (AM) he was awarded during his military career. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The AMs he earned are not shown on his DD Form 214. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of the orders awarding the AMs and his DD Form 214. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant began his military service on 28 Feb 66. He was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant (E-5), effective and with a date of rank (DOR) of 1 Jul 69. He served for four years before being honorably discharged on 27 Feb 70. Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) have determined the applicant is entitled to the AM with four oak leaf clusters (OLC) and will correct his record administratively. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends that in addition to the Air Medal with four OLCs that will be administratively added to the applicant’s record, the Board award him the Air Medal (5th OLC). The applicant provided what appears to be a copy of a special order, dated 20 Feb 70, awarding him the AM, but without reference to the appropriate OLC. The period covered by the special order (SO) is 13 Oct 69 to 18 Oct 69, and follows the end date of his entitlement to the AM (4th OLC), 9 Mar 69. In addition, the applicant was on TDY to Southeast Asia (SEA) during the inclusive dates of this award. Therefore, in view of the authenticity of the orders provided, the SO G-47, dated 20 Feb 70, should be amended to reflect the applicant was awarded the AM (5 OLC). DPSIDR’s complete 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 10 Feb 12 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office. _________________________________________________________________ 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. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) that in addition to the administrative correction that will be made to document the applicant’s award of the AM with four (4) OLCs, his records also be corrected by this Board to reflect award of the AM (5th OLC). However, in addition to amending the special order, we believe a more appropriate remedy in this case would be to also correct the DD Form 214 to reflect the applicant’s award of the Air Medal with five (5) OLCs. Therefore, we recommend 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 show that: a. Special Order (SO) G-47, dated 20 Feb 70, be corrected to reflect the applicant was awarded the AM (AM), fifth oak leaf cluster (5OLC), instead of the AM (basic award). b. Block 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued for the period 28 Feb 66 to 27 Feb 70, be corrected to include the entry “AM w/5OLCs.” ______________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04879 in Executive Session on 26 Jun 12, 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 23 Nov 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 19 Jan 12. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Feb 12.