RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00380 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM). ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served his country for three years and four months. He was honorably discharged and meets the criteria for being awarded the AFGCM. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, and a Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) cover letter. 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 who served on active duty from 22 September 1965 through 21 January 1969. The remaining relevant facts, extracted from the applicant’s military service record, are reflected in the evaluation by the Air Force office of primary responsibility at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states that the AFGCM is awarded to enlisted personnel during a three-year period of active duty military service or for a one-year period of service during a time of war. Airmen awarded this medal must have had character and efficiency ratings of excellent or higher throughout the qualifying period. In accordance with Executive Order 8809, amended by Executive Order 9323, the AFGCM may also be awarded to service members who complete more than one year but less than three years of active federal military service if the AFGCM has not been previously awarded. In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-3208, the AFGCM is awarded to personnel in an enlisted status for “exemplary conduct” (exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity), while in an active military service of the United States. DPSID indicates that after a thorough review of the applicant’s military personnel records, they were unable to verify award of the AFGCM. The applicant’s Air Force Form 7, Airman Military Record, page 3, Remarks Section, contains an entry stating the period from 22 September 1965 to 3 May 1968 is not credible for award of the AFGCM. Therefore, the applicant did not complete three years of honorable service while on active duty, rendering him ineligible for award of the AFGCM. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by Department of Defense Manual 1348-33, Executive Order 9323, and AFI 36- 2803. The complete DPSID 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 July 2013, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting correction. In this regard, we note the applicant’s Air Force Form 7 contains an entry stating the period from 22 September 1965 to 3 May 1968 is not credible for award of the AFGCM. However, we also note his performance report for the period 24 June 1967 thru 23 June 1968, rendered for the one-year period he served in Thailand in support of Air Operations in Vietnam, reflects the highest ratings and a recommendation for promotion to the next higher grade. Although the applicant does not qualify for award of the AFGCM based on a three-year period of exemplary conduct, we believe the period 24 June 1967 thru 23 June 1968 meets the criteria for award of the AFGCM, for exemplary conduct during a time of war. Therefore, in view of the evidence of record, we believe the applicant’s record should be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ _ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to reflect that his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his separation on 21 January 1969, be corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. ________________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2013-00380 in Executive Session on 15 October 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013- 00380 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Jan 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 21 Jun 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jul 13. 1 2