RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:		DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05439
                                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 following 
awards: 

1.  Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). (Will be 
administratively corrected)

2.  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V).   
 
3. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) 
(Will be administratively corrected).  

4.  Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars (VSM 
w/4 BSS).

_______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The Board should consider it in the interest of justice to 
consider his application as he has earned these medals and they 
should be reflected on his DD Form 214.  Much of the information 
was not available because of the secret mission.  

In support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, AFCM certificate, citation and special order; and 
medals and ribbons fact sheet.    

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 29 Oct 68, the applicant entered active duty.

He served in Thailand from Nov 69 to Nov 70.

According to Special Order G-844, dated 1 Dec 70, the applicant 
was awarded the AFCM.

According to his DD Form 214, he was awarded the VSM and the 
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM).

On 11 Sep 72, he was honorably released from active duty.  

He served 3 years, 10 months and 13 days on active duty.  

The AFOUA is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to 
numbered units that have distinguished themselves by 
exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement 
that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. 
The services include performance of exceptionally meritorious 
service, accomplishment of a specific outstanding achievement of 
national or international significance, combat operations 
against an armed enemy of the United States, or military 
operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile 
actions by an opposing foreign force. 

The VSM was awarded to members of the Armed Forces who between  
4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 served in the following areas of 
Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and 
airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereof 
and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam for 
30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’ request for the 
AFOUA w/V.  DPSID was unable to verify the applicant served with 
a unit that was ever awarded the AFOUA.  DPSID also recommends 
denial of the award of four additional BSSs to his VSM.  The 
applicant served in the area of eligibility for three authorized 
campaigns, making him eligible for three BSS’s and not four.  To 
grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by 
DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, 
Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff.

DPSID determined the applicant should have been awarded the 
AFCM, RVNGC w/P and VSM w/3 BSS for his service from 29 Oct 
68 to 11 Sep 72.  Upon the Board’s final decision, DPSOR will 
administratively correct his records to reflect these awards.  

The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. 

________________________________________________________________
?
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 25 Aug 14, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded 
to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit 
D).  As of this date, this office has not received a response.  

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; 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 error or injustice.  We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of 
the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation 
of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt the 
rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion that the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  
Therefore, aside from the administrative corrections noted 
above, we find no basis to recommend granting the additional 
relief sought in this application. 

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

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

________________________________________________________________ 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-05439 in Executive Session on 30 Sep 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

     , Panel Chair
     , Member
     , Member 


The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-05439 was considered: 

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Nov 13, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.         
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 8 Aug 14, w/atch.  
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Aug 14