RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04361 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1.  His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect he received the Air Medal. 2.  He be awarded the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with N Device. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He received an Air Medal while on active duty, however, it is not reflected on his DD Form 214. Also, he should be awarded the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with N Device. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 11 Apr 75. On 28 Feb 99, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, retired effective 1 Mar 99, and was credited with 23 years, 10 months, and 20 days of active service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is included at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends granting relief, indicating sufficient evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice regarding the Air Medal missing from the applicant’s DD Form 214. The Air Medal may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, subsequent to September 8; 1939, distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight. It may be awarded for combat or non­combat action in recognition of single acts of valor, heroism, or merit while participating in an aerial flight. Additionally, it may be conferred for sustained meritorious achievement (distinction) in the performance of duties involving aerial flight. The applicant provided what appears to be an authentic citation and a signed certificate for award of the Air Medal for inclusive period from 16 August 1996 to 1 September 1998. However, no Special Order was provided with this request or could be located within the applicant's official military personnel record. The Special Order officially authorizes award of a decoration and without it we are unable to verify award of the Air Medal. Should the board grant the relief sought, AFPC/DPSID will complete a Special Order so that the decoration can be added to the official military record. Notwithstanding the above, insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice regarding award of the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with N device. The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal is authorized for Airmen who directly impacted the Nuclear Enterprise. The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal may be awarded retroactively to 27 Dec 91 to fully qualified Airmen who, while assigned, attached, deployed or mobilized to a unit (Wing, Center or below), provided support to the Nuclear Enterprise for 120 consecutive or 179 nonconsecutive days and were subject to a Nuclear Inspection or performed duties in nuclear operations and support missions. An "N" device will be worn on the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal for Airmen who for 179 non-consecutive days: Performed duties within the missile complex in direct support of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations in missile maintenance and support operations, or performed duties in direct support of nuclear laden aircraft to include nuclear certified aircrew, aircraft maintenance technicians, munitions maintenance technicians, combat crew communications, nuclear certified controllers, and security forces performing guard duties. They were able to verify the applicant served in the Nuclear Enterprise; however, unable to verify if he served on or after 27 Dec 91. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant provided a copy of his Flying History Report reflecting combat missions flown reflected in his citation to accompany the award of the Air Medal (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 an injustice regarding the Air Medal missing from the applicant’s DD Form 214. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case, to include his rebuttal, and agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as indicated below. 4.  Notwithstanding the above, insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice regarding award of the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with N device. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting this portion of the relief sought in this application. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Air Medal for the inclusive period from 16 August 1996 to 1 September 1998. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04361 in Executive Session on 9 Sep 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-2014-04361 was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Jul 15. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Jul 15. Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, received, 4 Aug 15, w/atchs.