RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00463 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 31 Aug 83 retirement, in Item 13, Decoration, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, be corrected to add the following awards and decorations: 1. The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). 2. The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). The following awards and decorations will be administratively corrected or are already a matter of record: 3. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with Valor and One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and Three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/V & 1SOLC & 3BOLCs). (Administratively Corrected) 4. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). (Administratively Corrected) 5. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), is already reflected on the applicant’s DD Form 214, issued 7 Aug 67. 6. The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) is reflected in his DD Form 214, issued 7 Aug 71. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The AFCM, PUC, AFOUA, the VSM, the SAEMR and the RVNGC w/P were missing from his DD Form 214 that was issued at the time of his retirement. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 8 Aug 63, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force on active duty. On 31 Aug 83, the applicant was relieved from active duty and retired effective 1 Sep 83. He was credited with 20 years and 23 days of active duty service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the AFCM and the PUC. DPSID indicates that although they were able to locate a citation for award of the AFCM in the applicant's official military record, they were unable to locate a Special Order or signed certificate verifying the applicant was recommended for and awarded the AFCM. The AFCM 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 after 28 Mar 58, distinguish themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service least 1 day served in each campaign phase. The PUC is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on, or after, 16 Oct 41, for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps units, and on or after 7 Dec 41, for United States Army units. The unit must have displayed such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to have set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would be required for award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. DPSID also indicates that there is no official documentation in the applicant's record, nor was any provided with this request, verifying the applicant was assigned to a unit that received award of the PUC while he was assigned to the unit. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. DPSID determined that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant's service from 8 Aug 63 to 31 Aug 83 and were not reflected in his records. Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/V & lSOLC & 3BOLC) Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 25 Apr 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 warranting award of the AFCM or the PUC. 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 its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, aside from the administration 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 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-2014-00463 in Executive Session on 20 Nov 14 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-00463 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 29 Jan 14, w/atch. Exhibit B. Pertinent Excerpts from Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 11 Apr 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Apr 14.