RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03779
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect award of the Republic of Vietnam
Gallantry Cross with Palm.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
According to the Department of the Army General Order DA GO 8 1974,
that the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm was awarded
to Headquarters U.S. Military Assistance Command (MACV) and all it’s
subordinate units during the period from 8 February 1962 to 28 March
1973. All military personnel who were assigned to units serving in
Vietnam during this period were considered assigned to MACV and its
subordinate units regardless of service or component.
In support of his request, the applicant submits a personal statement,
DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, a copy of an
email, Special Order T-119, DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher or
Subvoucher, Category 69 Clothing Certificate letter and a copy of a
Clearance Form. Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is
at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 4 April 1962, and
was released from active duty on 4 November 1965. He was stationed in
the Philippines from 12 July 1964 to 2 February 1965, and was TDY to
Vietnam during the period 9 November 1964 to 18 February 1965. His DD
Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,
reflects award of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force
Outstanding Unit Award, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
The applicant’s records were administratively corrected to reflect
award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award W/2OLC and the Guided
Missile Insignia.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of his request for award of the
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Since the
1st Communications Group, Mobile, was not awarded this unit award from
the Republic of Vietnam, he is not eligible for this award.
Unfortunately, the applicant has depended on an unreliable Internet
site for his information regarding the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry
Cross with Palm. He is also citing a Department of the Army General
Order, which does not apply to Air Force personnel. Only those units
listed in Air Force Pamphlet 900-3 are entitled to the Republic of
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. As the applicant was informed, the
1st Communications Group, Mobile did not receive this unit award from
the Republic of Vietnam Government. Therefore, he is not entitled to
the award.
The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states that he believes he is eligible to receive the
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm since he was assigned to
the 1964th Communications Group, and the 1965th Communications
Squadron, and both of these units received this award.
His complete submission, with attachments 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 error or injustice. Only those units listed in Air
Force Pamphlet 900-3 are entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry
Cross with Palm. Since neither of the units to which the applicant
was assigned while serving in Vietnam were recipients of this award,
and are not listed in this Air Force Pamphlet, he is not eligible for
this award. We took notice of the complete submission in judging the
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and
recommendations of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and
adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.
Therefore, we find no compelling basis to warrant favorable
consideration of the relief sought in this application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of an 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 no considered with this application.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-
03779 in Executive Session on 27 April 2004, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. James E. Short, Panel Chair
Ms. Martha A. Maust, Member
Ms. Deborah A. Erickson, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Nov 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 21 Jan 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Mar 04.
Exhibit E Letter, Applicant, 15 Mar 04.
James E. Short
Panel Chair
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