RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00946 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her records be corrected to reflect award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (RKPUC), the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM), and the Presidential Unit Citation with Valor (PUC w/Valor). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Several incidents relating to his outprocessing from active duty and beyond precluded him from reviewing and pursuing correction of his records, to include losing a daughter to cancer and almost losing his own life due to a heart attack. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________ ______________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records indicate that he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 3 Sep 69 and served on active duty until 30 Apr 76, when he was honorably discharged upon the expiration of his term of active obligated service. He was credited with 6 years, 10 months, and 15 days of total active service, which included 1 year, 10 months, and 26 days of foreign service. According to the applicant’s military personnel records, he served at Korat AB, Thialand from 26 Feb 73 to 28 Feb 74 and later served at Kunsan AB, Korea from 1 May 75 to 5 Oct 75. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force which is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the RKPUC, indicating they were unable to verify the applicant served with a unit in Korea that received the RKPUC during the award period of 27 Jun 50 and 27 Jul 53. The applicant did not enter active duty until 3 Sep 69 and did not serve in Korea until 1975, rendering him ineligible for this award. Additionally, they recommend denial of the applicant’s request for the VCM, indicating the applicant’s dates of service in Thailand from 1 Feb 73 to 1 Jan 74, render him ineligible for the VCM. The VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73, served for six months in South Vietnam during this period or served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Lastly, they recommend denial of the applicant’s request for the Valor device to the PUC, indicating the Valor device is not an authorized device for this award. A review of the applicant’s records revealed that he should have been awarded the PUC, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/2 BOLC), Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1 BSS), and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and his official military personnel records will be administratively corrected by AFPC/DPSOY. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant provided a copy of his permanent change of station (PCS) orders from Andrews AFB, MD to Kunsan Air Base, Korea and a copy of his separation orders from Kunsan Air Base, Korea to Travis Air Force Base, California. He also provided excerpts from his squadron year book in Korea that contained pictures of him in the squadron. These documents were provided in an effort to support his request for award of the RKPUC. A complete copy of the Applicant’s response is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ 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 an error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, including his response to the advisory opinion, in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the award of the PUC; however, the Valor device is not an authorized device for this award. Additionally, they have also determined the applicant’s eligibility for the award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/2 BOLC), Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1 BSS), and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and will correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis for us to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES 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. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-00946 in Executive Session on 21 Nov 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-00946 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Feb 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 13 May 13,w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 May 13. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 6 Jun 13, w/atchs. Panel Chair 4