RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:                       DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00948
                                       INDEX CODE:  107.00
      XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX                   COUNSEL: NONE

      XXXXXXXXXX                        HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214  be  corrected  to  reflect  the  award  of  the  Air  Force
Commendation Medal (AFCM) and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award  (AFOUA).


_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is entitled to the AFCM and the AFOUA  he  received  while  stationed  in
Vietnam.  He no longer has the citation to accompany his award of the  AFCM;
however, he would never lay claim to an award he didn’t  earn  and  receive.
He would be happy to provide a sworn  affirmation  of  his  receipt  of  the
award if that would help correct the matter.  It is important  to  him  that
his service record be correct.

In support of his application, the applicant provides a personal  statement.
 The applicant’s complete submission with attachment is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 10 June 1964, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force at the  age
of 17 for a period of four years in the rank of airman basic (E-1).  He  was
progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (E-4) with a  date  of  rank
of 1 February 1967.  The applicant served in the Republic  of  Vietnam  from
23 July 1967 to 4 June 1968.  He was released from active  duty  on  4  June
1968, with an honorable characterization of service.  He served 3 years,  11
months, and 25 days on active duty.

The applicant’s DD Form 214  reflects  that  he  was  awarded  the  National
Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct  Medal,  Republic  of  Vietnam
Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service  Star.
 On 14 June 2004, the applicant’s DD Form 214 was corrected to add  the  Air
Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and  the  Republic  of  Vietnam
Gallantry Cross with Palm.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends disapproval of the applicant’s requests for the  AFCM.
 DPPPR states that the applicant’s entitlement to the AFOUA with “V”  device
along with the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with  Palm  was  verified
and was administratively corrected.  A DD Form 215, Correction  to  DD  Form
214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, was issued on  14
June 2004 reflecting the additions and a copy was mailed to  the  applicant.
DPPPR states that they have thoroughly researched the  applicant’s  records;
however, there are no documents to verify his entitlement to the AFCM.   The
DPPPR evaluation, dated 4 January 2004, is at Exhibit C.

In DPPPR’s advisory dated 8 Septmeber 2004,  DPPPR  states  the  applicant’s
submission of a sealed citation and signed certificate of the  AFCM  is  not
sufficient for award of the  AFCM  without  a  copy  of  the  special  order
provided by the decoration approval authority.  The DPPPR evaluation,  dated
8 September 2004, is at Exhibit F.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In response to DPPPR’s advisory dated 4 January 2004, the applicant  located
and provided a copy of his certificate and a raised-seal carbon copy of  the
citation for award of the AFCM for the period 22 July 1967 to 15  May  1968.
The applicant’s response is at Exhibit E.

On 18 June 2004, a copy of the DPPPR’s advisory dated 8 September  2004  was
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within  30  days.   As  of
this date, this office has received no response.

_________________________________________________________________

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.  Sufficient relevant evidence  has  been  presented  to  demonstrate  the
existence of an error or injustice.  We note the documentation  (raised-seal
citation to accompany the award of the AFCM for the period 22 July  1967  to
15 May 1968 along with a  copy  of  the  certificate  for  the  same  award)
submitted by the applicant to substantiate his claim.  We also took note  of
the opinion of the Air Force office of primary responsibility that they  are
unable to administratively correct the applicant’s  record  to  reflect  his
award of the AFCM without a copy of the special order,  which  authenticates
the decoration.  After a thorough review of the available records,  and  the
submitted evidence, the Board  is  persuaded  that  in  recognition  of  the
applicant’s service to  the  nation,  any  doubt  in  this  case  should  be
resolved in the applicant’s favor.  Accordingly, we  recommend  the  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  he  was  awarded  the  Air  Force
Commendation Medal, for meritorious service during the period 22  July  1967
to 15 May 1968.
________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application in  Executive
Session on 14 December 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

            Mr. Robert S. Boyd, Panel Chair
            Ms. Renee M. Collier, Member
            Ms. Janet I. Hassan, Member

All members voted to correct the records, as  recommended.   The  following
documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-00948 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 17 Mar 04, w/atch.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 4 Jan 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Jun 04.
    Exhibit E.  Ltr, Applicant’s Review, dtd 12 Jul 04, w/atch.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Sep 04.
    Exhibit G.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Sep 04.




                                   ROBERT S. BOYD
                                   Panel Chair


AFBCMR BC-2004-00948




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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that he
was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, for meritorious service
during the period 22 July 1967 to 15 May 1968.





JOE G. LINEBERGER

Director

Air Force Review Boards Agency