RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00381 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be amended to include award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The MSM was given to him at retirement; however, it is not annotated on his DD Form 214. In support of the applicant’s appeal, he provides documents extracted from his military personnel records. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 1 November 1993, the applicant retired in the grade of technical sergeant under the provisions of AFR 35-7 (Voluntary Retirement: Reduction in Force). ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends approval. DPSID states the applicant submitted what appears to be an authentic citation and signed certificate with a given under my hand date of 29 December 1993, which is two months after the applicant retired. DPSID was unable to locate the special order for the MSM. They attempted to contact the applicant for a copy of the special order but no contact information was provided with the applicant’s request. Based on their review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were able to determine the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 27 October 1974 to 31 October 1993 and was not reflected in his records. Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. The DPSID complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 6 April 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit C). 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. After reviewing the evidence provided in support of this appeal, i.e., copies of the MSM certificate and citation, we find the applicant has demonstrated that his DD Form 214 should be amended to include the MSM. 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 the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 11 May 1981 separation, be amended in Item 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). ________________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-00381 in Executive Session on 17 October 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 January 2013, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 26 March 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 April 2013. 2 3 4