ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-1998-03469
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NO
HEARING DESIRED: No
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
In the applicant's appeal for reconsideration, he requests the citation
which accompanied his Bronze Star Medal, with Valor (BSM w/V) be changed in
the fourth line to read “assist” versus “awaken.”
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant while stationed in Vietnam on 21 August 1965, voluntarily
risked his life to awaken his commander and two senior officers and
assisted them to safety during an enemy attack.
The applicant previously submitted a request to have his Air Force
Commendation Medal (AFCM) for outstanding achievement upgraded to a Bronze
Star Medal for heroism. On 26 August 1999, the Air Force Board of
Correction for Military Records (AFBCMR) considered and granted the
applicant’s request for award of the BSM w/V. For an accounting of the
facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant's eligibility for
receiving the requested decoration, and the rationale for the earlier
decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings, with attachments, at
Exhibit F.
On 10 November 2003, the applicant submitted a letter via Senator
Hutchinson’s office requesting assistance to have his citation for the BSM
corrected (Exhibit G).
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
After careful consideration of the applicant’s reconsideration request and
the documentation he submitted, we are persuaded the applicant’s actions on
21 August 1965 warrant amending the citation accompanying the BSM w/V.
According to the statement from his former commander, the applicant,
without regard for his own safety, assisted the commander and two other
senior officers to safety during an enemy attack on the night of the
21 August 1965. We are sufficiently persuaded that the word “assist” more
accurately describes the situation on the night of the attack. Therefore,
we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating
to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the citation accompanying the
Bronze Star Medal, with Valor, for his actions on 21 August 1965 be amended
in the fourth line to read “...to assist his commander...” rather than
“...to awaken his commander...”
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-1998-
03469 in Executive Session on 23 March 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
Ms. Jean A. Reynolds, Member
Ms. Cheryl V. Jacobson, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit F. Record of Proceedings, dated 29 Oct 99, w/atchs.
Exhibit G. Applicant’s Reconsideration Request, dated
10 Nov 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit H. Applicant’s Military Personnel Records.
RICHARD A. PETERSON
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-1998-03469
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF
Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air
Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority
of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is
directed that:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to , be corrected to show that the
citation accompanying the Bronze Star Medal, with Valor, for his
actions on 21 August 1965 be amended in the fourth line to read
“...Post, running past the safety of the bunker, to assist his
commander and two senior officers assigned to the ....”
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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