RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-00115

XXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE (MEMBER)

XXXXXXXXXXXX	HEARING: NO (APPLICANT)

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.	Her late husband’s DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, block 5a, Grade, Rate or Rank reflect Sgt and block 5b, Pay Grade reflect E-5.

2.	Her late husband’s record be corrected to reflect Foreign Service time in Korea (Administratively corrected to reflect Foreign Service time in Korea and Germany).

3.	Her late husband’s records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart (PH).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her late husband’s records omitted his numerous accomplishments. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The former service member initially entered the Regular Air Force on 1 Aug 63. On 24 Jul 67, he was discharged in the grade of A1C (E-4).

According to an AFPC/DP3AM letter dated 14 Nov 17, they were able to verify and confirm boots on ground Foreign Service time in the Republic of Korea and Germany; however, they were unable to confirm any Foreign Service time in the Republic of Vietnam. The amount of Foreign Service time reflected on the former service member’s DD Form 214 is correct, therefore, a correction is not required.

According to an AFPC/DP1SSP letter dated 12 Jul 18, they have administratively corrected the former service members records to reflect award of the Korean Defense Service Medal. However, they were unable to verify award of the PH. Specifically, the applicant did not provide a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding her late husband’s injury to include specifics as to how he was injured, exact date of injury, unit of assignment, and rank held at the time he was injured. Medical records contemporary to the events, and an eyewitness account from an individual who

saw her late husband’s injury and can attest to the circumstances surrounding the personal account. For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisories at Exhibits C and D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2SPP recommends denying the applicant’s request to change her late husband’s grade on his DD Form 214, indicating he was not promoted to the grade of Sgt (E-5) in the Regular Air Force but obtained the grade while serving in the Reserves. A DD Form 214 is not accomplished upon discharge from the Reserves.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the applicant’s request to award her late husband Foreign Service time in Vietnam, indicating the information provided and military human resources record did not contain information that reflects he served in Vietnam. The complete advisory is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 4 Oct 18 for comment (Exhibit E), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The application was timely filed.

2.	The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.	After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that there is no evidence of an error and injustice. The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2SPP and DP3AM and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions. Therefore, aside from the administrative corrections to correct the former member’s Foreign Service time in Korea and Germany, the Board recommends against correcting the records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. 
CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-00115 in Executive Session on 8 Nov 18:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member 
, Panel Member
All members voted not to correct the record. The panel considered the following: Exhibit A: Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 14 Nov 16.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records. Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2SPP, dated 16 Oct 17.
Exhibit D.  Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 14 Nov 17.
Exhibit E: Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 4 Oct 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9 for Docket Number BC-2017-00115.