RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00772

					COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Air Medal (AM).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The AM was awarded after his discharge.  Both the citation and 
medal were stolen from his storage unit and are very important 
to him.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 
6 May 68.

On 29 Apr 72, the applicant was furnished an honorable 
discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 24 days 
of active service.   

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or an injustice.  A thorough review of the applicant’s 
official military personnel record revealed no documentation 
substantiating the applicant’s entitlement to the AM.  There is 
no official documentation, such as a recommendation or Special 
Order, in the applicant's military personnel record to verify he 
was recommended for or awarded the AM.  In order to reasonably 
consider the applicant's request, he will need to submit a 
recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge of the 
act/achievement, preferably from someone within the applicant's 
chain of command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed 
citation, and eyewitness statements.  The request is also 
untimely and should be denied on that basis.  To grant the 
relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 
1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or 
the War Department.  However, a review of the applicant’s 
records revealed that he was entitled to the following awards 
and the applicant’s records will be corrected administratively:

	a.  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one 
Bronze   Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1BOLC).

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

	c.  Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC 
w/P).

A complete copy of the AFPC/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 Aug 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 
correction of the applicant’s records to reflect his entitlement 
to the Air Medal.  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 (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 AFOUA w/V & 
1BOLC, VSM w/4BSS, and the RVNGC w/P, and will correct his 
records administratively.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence 
to the contrary, we find no basis 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-2014-00772 in Executive Session on 18 Dec 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 Feb 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 21 Apr 14.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Aug 14.