RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04692 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Item 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He would like his official record to be corrected. In August 1992, he returned to the United States from his assignment in England then went on terminal leave for a short period of time. At the point of his separation on 1 September 1992, the paperwork for is AFCM had not been fully processed. He was not aware of this omission on his DD Form 214 until very recently. In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of his signed AFCM Certificate and Citation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force. The DD Form 214 issued in conjunction with his 1 September 1992 separation does not reflect award of an AFCM. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 1. AFPC/DPSID recommends approval. DPSIDR states the applicant provided what appears to be an authentic AFCM citation and signed certificate. The applicant’s official military personnel record contained an AFCM citation; however, a Special Order awarding the AFCM was not provided or located within the applicant’s official military record. 2. The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Department of the Air Force after 24 March 1958, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service. 3. Should the Board approve, they will accomplish a special order for the AFCM to correct the applicant’s record. The complete AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant provided a copy of a DÉCOR6, Recommendation for Decoration, dated 22 August 1992, which reflected his recommendation for award of the AFCM (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 error or injustice. After reviewing the evidence provided in support of this appeal, i.e., copies of the AFCM certificate and citation, we find the applicant has demonstrated that his DD Form 214 should be amended to include the AFCM. 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 APPLICANT be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 1 September 1992 release from active duty, be amended in Item 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Air Force Commendation Medal. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 23 July 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-04692: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 October 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 4 January 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 January 2013. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant dated 3 February 2013, w/atch. AFBCMR 1500 West Perimeter Road, Suite 3700 Joint Base Andrews NAF Washington, MD 20762 Dear: Your application to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records, AFBCMR BC-2012-04692 has been finalized. The Board determined that the military records should be corrected as set forth in the attached copy of a Memorandum for the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force. The office responsible for making the correction will inform you when your records have been changed. After correction, the records will be reviewed to determine if you are entitled to any monetary benefits as a result of the correction of records. This determination is made by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS-IN), Indianapolis, Indiana, and involves the assembly and careful checking of finance records. It may also be necessary for the DFAS-IN to communicate directly with you to obtain additional information to ensure the proper settlement of your claim. Because of the number and complexity of claims workload, you should expect some delay. We assure you, however, that every effort will be made to conclude this matter at the earliest practical date. Sincerely, Attachments: 1. Record of Board Proceedings 2. Directive cc: DFAS-IN AFBCMR BC-2012-04692 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code it is directed that: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to, be corrected to reflect that his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Item 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, issued in conjunction with his 1 September 1992 release from active duty, be and hereby is amended to include the Air Force Commendation Medal. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON, DC Office of the Assistant Secretary DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON, DC Office of the Assistant Secretary