RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS. IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01177 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be amended to reflect the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). The end date of the AFCM be amended to reflect 26 Mar 68 rather than 28 Mar 68. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The AFCM citation covers two days he was not in Vietnam. He was discharged on 27 Mar 68 and therefore the AFCM was not recorded on his DD Form 214. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 3 Dec 63, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. On 27 Mar 68, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve to complete the remainder of his military service obligation. He was credited with 4 years, 3 months, and 25 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) included at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the AFCM. The applicant provided an AFCM citation with an official seal which appears authentic, however; DPSID was unable to locate any other documentation such as the signed certificate that accompanies the award or the Special Order (SO) for the decoration. The SO is the official source document to verify award of the decoration. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. The AFCM was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 28 Mar 58 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, below the grade of Colonel and foreign military personnel, who, while serving in any capacity with the Department of the Air Force, distinguish themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service. Based on review of 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 from 3 Dec 63 to 27 Mar 68 and were not reflected in his records. Upon final Board decision, administrative correction to the applicant’s official military personnel record will be accomplished by AFPC/DPSOR: *Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/2BSS) *Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 10 Nov 15, the applicant provided a copy of SO G-1285, dated 30 Apr 68, showing he was awarded the AFCM for inclusive period 27 Apr 67 thru 28 Mar 68, and states this should negate the recommendation to disapprove the award. He requests favorable consideration for his request to have the AFCM added to his official records. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely file. 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 excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice regarding the applicant’s request to change the end date of his award of the Air Force Commendation Medal. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, including attachments and rebuttal, in judging the merits of this case, however; the applicant has not provided evidence to demonstrate the award end date should be changed. 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, we believe relief is warranted with respect to documenting the applicant’s AFCM on his DD Form 214. The applicant has provided a copy of the AFCM Special Order as evidence he was awarded the AFCM for meritorious service during the period 27 April 1967 to 28 March 1968. Given that the special order appears to be authentic with no alterations, the Board found it sufficient to recommend relief. As such, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the VSM w/2BSS and RVNGC w/P and will correct his records administratively. 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 27 March 1968 release from active duty, be amended in Item 24, Decorations, medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01177 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 Mar 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 14 Sep 15. Exhibit D. Letter, APPLICANT, dated 10 Nov 15.