RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-02572

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
 	HEARING REQUESTED: NO	

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be amended to include:

a.	Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour  (Pending administrative  correction)
b.	Air Force Commendation Medal
  
APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His DD Form 214 at separation did not include the aforementioned awards.  He was awarded the Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour while serving and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal on 19 Jan 93, after he separated.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former Air Force staff sergeant (E-5).

On 31 Aug 92, according to DD Form 214 provided by the applicant, he received an honorable discharge and was credited with 10 years and 26 days of active service.  He was also credited with 4 years and 27 days of Foreign Service.   Item 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, reflects: Air Force Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long Tour, Southwest Asia Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Training Ribbon.

On 19 Jan 93, according to documentation provided by the applicant, his commander signed the Air Force Commendation Medal citation, for meritorious service for the period 9 Sep 91 to 1 Jul 92.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying award of the Air Force Commendation Medal.  In accordance with AFMAN 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, the Air Force Commendation Medal was established by the Secretary of the Air Force on 24 Mar 58, and announced in Department of the Air Force General Orders No. 16, 28 Mar 58.  The medal is awarded to any Service member, or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation, who has distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement or service, valor or heroism. 

Although the applicant provided a signed certificate with official seal, which appears to be authentic, no documentation was located in the official military personnel record indicating the Air Force Commendation Medal was awarded.  Air Force Regulation 900-48, Individual and Unit Awards and Decorations,  states the authority for award of a decoration is published in special orders of the awarding authority. Therefore, absent the special order, they are unable to verify the decoration.

Notwithstanding, they were able to verify the applicant’s eligibility for the Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short Tour, accordingly, his records will be corrected after the Board.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 17 Mar 22 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

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 and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions. Specifically, AFPC/DP3SP concedes the applicant provided a signed certificate with official seal that appears to be authentic; however, they recommend denying the applicant’s request because there is  no documentation in the official military personnel record indicating the Air Force Commendation Medal was awarded. However, the Board finds the citation sufficient evidence he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. The likely reason it is not reflected on his DD Form 214 or in his records was because the Air Force Commendation Medal citation, was signed on 19 Jan 93, five months after his separation.  The Board also notes AFPC/DP3SP was able to verify the applicant’s eligibility for the Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour; therefore, his record will be administratively corrected and will not require Board action.  Accordingly, the Board recommends correcting the record as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 31 Aug 92 separation, be amended in Block 13, Decorations, Medal, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Air Force Commendation 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-2021-02572 in Executive Session on 18 Aug 22:

, 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 29 Jun 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, w/atchs, dated 15 Mar 22.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 17 Mar 22.

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