RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2019-03969

XXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED:  NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) – Meritorious Service, for the period 2 Mar 72 – 31 Dec 75, and the AFCM, with first oak leaf cluster (OLC) – Meritorious Service, for the period 19 Mar 76 – 29 Aug 77.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

The first AFCM was awarded prior to separation, and the second medal was awarded after the DD Form 214 was prepared.  Awards and decorations for service to the United States Air Force and country should always be recognized.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibits A and B.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air Force captain (O-3). 

On 23 Mar 76, according to documentation provided by the applicant, under Special Order GA-53, the applicant was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, for the period 2 Mar 72 – 31 Dec 75.

On 29 Aug 77, according to documentation provided by the applicant, under Special Order G-185, the applicant was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, first oak leaf cluster, for the period 19 Mar 76 – 29 Aug 77.

On 29 Aug 77, according to documentation provided by the applicant, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and credited with 6 years, 6 months, and 25 days total active service.

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY
AFI 36-2803, Air Force Awards and Decoration Program: 
Paragraph 1.15.5. Each decoration prescribes standards which define the degree and magnitude of an act, achievement, or service considered worthy for awarding that particular decoration. Do not base award of a specific decoration upon a member’s grade, but on the member’s level of responsibility, achievements, accomplishments, and manner of performance.
Paragraph 1.15.6. No member is automatically entitled to a decoration upon PCS, permanent change of assignment (PCA), retirement, separation, completion of a TDY, or reaching/achieving other points at which a decoration may be recommended. Supervisors must decide at these points if a decoration is appropriate.

Table 3.13. Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), states that the medal is awarded for “Meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though it need not be unique.” 

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.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

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 non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 29 August 1977 discharge, be amended in Block 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to reflect the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal, with first oak leaf cluster.

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-2019-03969 in Executive Session on 3 Jun 20:

, 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 7 Aug 19.
Exhibit B:	Additional Supporting Documentation, w/atch, dated 21 May 20.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings related to Docket Number BC-2019-03969, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.