RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-05440

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Meritorious Service Medal for the period 1 July 1984 – 31 August 1988, be added to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal upon his retirement; however, it is not reflected on his DD Form 214.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was discharged from the Air Force on 31 August 1988 and retired in the grade of master sergeant (E-7) effective 1 September 1988.  The applicant provided a Citation to Accompany the Award of the Meritorious Service Medal and a signed certificate for the period 1 July 1984 – 31 August 1988, with a “Given Under My Hand” date of 20 March 1989.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed, but it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

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

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes that the applicant is the victim of an error and finds that a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  The applicant has provided a Meritorious Service Medal certificate with a “Given Under My Hand” date and signed by the commander.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, pertaining to APPLICANT and issued in conjunction with his 31 August 1988 discharge, be amended in Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), to reflect the Meritorious Service Medal.

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-2017-05440 in Executive Session on 27 September 2018:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 18 December 2017.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.

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