RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04615 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be updated with the Air Medal (AM) with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (3BOLC). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He flew approximately 10 missions in F-105s out of Takhli, Thailand and 40 missions in AC-130s out of Ubon, Thailand while serving with XXXXXX, when he was awarded the AM. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 11 Apr 66, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. On 7 Jan 70, by Special Order (SO) G-118, he was awarded the AM for meritorious achievement while participating in Aerial Flight during the period 26 Jul 69 to 13 Sep 69. This award was not documented on the AF Form 7, Airman Military Record. According to the AF Form 7, by SO G-118, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) by Special Order (SO) G-118, on 7 Jan 70, during the period of 26 Jul 69 to 13 Sep 69. On 4 Apr 70, the applicant was honorably discharged and transferred to the Air Force Reserve. He was credited with 3 years, 11 months and 24 days of active service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial for award of the AM w/3BOLC indicating there is no official documentation, such as a recommendation or SO, in the applicant’s military personnel record to verify he was recommended for or awarded the AM w/3BOLC. The applicant’s DD Form 214 indicates he was awarded the AFCM per SO G-118; however, we located within the applicant’s official military personnel record SO G-118 awarding the AM basic. We were unable to locate a citation or signed certificate to verify which decoration was actually presented to the applicant. Due to the discrepancy, DPSID recommends the Board make a final decision on whether the applicant’s DD Form 214 requires correction to reflect award of the AM or if the AFCM should stay as the correct entry. After reviewing the applicant’s official military personnel record, DPSID was able to determine that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant’s service form 11 Apr 66 to 4 Apr 70 and were 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: *Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V) *Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3BSS) *Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) 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 13 Mar 15 for review and comment within 30 days. In an undated letter, the applicant responded with a copy of the AM Certificate he was awarded for the period 26 Jul 69 to 13 Sep 69 signed the 7th day of January 1970 by XXXXXX, the Seventh Air Force Commander (Exhibit D). THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; while the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years ago, in our view, the reasonable date of discovery of the alleged error or injustice was more than three years ago and the application is therefore untimely; however, it is in the interest of justice to waive the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice regarding the applicant’s request for award of the AM w/3BOLC. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, including his rebuttal response, in judging the merits of the case, however; we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice with respect to awarding the AM w/3BOLC. While there is evidence of a Special Order awarding the basic Air Medal, the OPR was unable to locate a signed certificate or commendation to substantiate multiple awards. In addition, the OPR found evidence the Air Force Commendation Medal was awarded by the same Special Order (G-118). Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant partial relief. In our deliberations of this case, it was necessary for us to make a clear distinction on what award would be credited to SO G-118. Fortunately, the record contained SO G-118 which clearly states the applicant was awarded the AM for the period 26 Jul 69 to 13 Sep 69. Additionally, with the exception of the DD 214 and AF Form 7, the record is absent any evidence the applicant was awarded the AFCM. Therefore, in the interest of justice, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to include the basic AM. In so doing, the Board thereby singularly attributes SO-118 to the AM. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent 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 State Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued on 4 Apr 70, be amended in Item 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to reflect the “Air Medal” rather than the “AFCM.” All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04615 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Nov 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Feb 15. Exhibit D. Letter, APPLICANT, undated.