RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-03506
		
					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 add the Air Force 
Commendation Medal (AFCM).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He received the AFCM certificate by mail in 1969 and assumed 
that the decoration was updated to his DD Form 215, Correction 
to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 
14 Sep 65.  

On 30 Mar 69, the applicant was furnished an honorable 
discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 6 months, and 17 days 
of active service.

On 21 Mar 07, the applicant was issued a DD Form 215, Correction 
to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, 
crediting him with the Presidential Unit citation, Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Oak Leaf Cluster, and 
the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crass with Palm.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which is included at Exhibit C.





AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or injustice.  While the applicant has provided a 
signed certificate that appears to be authentic, the Special 
Order authorizing award of the AFCM or any other source document 
such as the citation that accompanies the certificate could not 
be located in the applicant’s military personnel records.  The 
special order is the official source document used to verify Air 
Force awards and decorations.  To grant relief would be contrary 
to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of the 
Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.
 
A complete copy of the AFPC/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 1 Apr 15 for review and comment within 30 days.  In 
response the applicant provides copies of letters of 
appreciation while serving in Vietnam.  


THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.  

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an injustice.  After a thorough 
review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete 
submission, we believe a preponderance of the evidence 
substantiates that corrective action is warranted.  In this 
respect, we note the AFCM certificate provided by the applicant 
appears to be authentic, and, even though the applicant has not 
presented a copy of the special order or citation, we are 
convinced it is more likely than not the applicant was awarded 
the AFCM for his meritorious service during the period 29 Aug 67 
to 20 Mar 69.  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 his DD 
Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer 
or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his honorable discharge 
on 30 March 1969, be amended in Block 24, Decorations, Badges, 
Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or 
Authorized, to include the Air Force Commendation Medal.


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-03506 in Executive Session on 21 May 15, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:


All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-03506 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 12 Aug 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 12 Dec 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Apr 15.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Apr 15.