RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2006-00683
            INDEX CODE:  107.00; 131.00
            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  YES

MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE:  9 JULY 2007

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Air  Force  Commendation
Medal (AFCM), the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart  (PH)  Medal.   He  also
requests consideration for promotion to Senior Master Sergeant (E-8).

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was promised the awards by the Ambassador to Laos and the Air  Operations
Center (AOC) commander, but they were never issued.  His status at the  time
was top secret and clandestine in nature.   He  was  reportedly  recommended
for two AFCM’s, one Bronze Star, and a PH between 1966 and 1967.

The points awarded for the decorations may have been  very  helpful  in  his
Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) promotion folder.

His unit supported Air American (AA) and  rescued  HH-53’s  that  were  over
extended on Bingo fuel and had to be refueled before sunset.  His unit  also
provided support to any grounding situations  that  would  occur  on  C-123,
Pilatus Porter and AA helicopters.  None of  this  was  listed  in  his  Air
Force Specialty Code (AFSC).  In  support  of  his  request,  he  submits  a
personal statement and an e-mail inquiry.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 1 October 1984, the applicant retired from active duty  service  and  was
honorably discharged in the grade of master sergeant.  He was credited  with
20 years and one month of total prior active service to include 6 years,  10
months and 5 days of Foreign Service.

The applicant’s records indicate he was assigned  to  Thailand  from  August
1966  to  April  1967  where  he  performed  duties  as  an  aircraft  radio
repairman.  His awards include the Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/4OLC,  NCO
Professional Military Education Ribbon  w/1  Device,  AF  Longevity  Service
Award w/4 Devices, National Defense Service Medal, AF Overseas Service  Long
Tour  Ribbon,  Vietnam  Service  Medal  w/2  Devices,  Republic  of  Vietnam
Gallantry Cross w/1 Device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

On 21 March 2006, the Air Force office of  primary  responsibility  informed
the applicant they were unable  to  verify  his  entitlement  to  the  above
listed decorations and invited  him  to  submit  additional  information  to
which he replied via e-mail (Exhibit F).

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial.  DPPPR informed the  applicant  that  there
was no documentation in his official records to verify  entitlement  to  the
requested awards, and requested  he  submit  documentation  to  support  his
claim.  The applicant; however, did not comply with their  request  (Exhibit
C).

HQ  AFPC/DPPPWB  recommends  denial.   DPPPWB  states  the  application   is
untimely  and  should  be  time  barred.   DPPPWB  explains  even   if   the
decorations had been awarded, or if the  Board  should  decide  they  should
have been awarded, they would be unable to determine if the applicant  would
have been promoted earlier to any rank as promotion history files  are  only
maintained for a period of 10 years.

DPPPWB’s evaluation is at Exhibit D.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In his e-mail response dated 6/23/2006,  the  applicant  states  there  were
some discrepancies in the Air Force evaluations.  He states he was  actually
in Laos between  1966  and  1967.   He  gives  a  detailed  account  of  his
subsequent assignments and missions.  He again explains he was  unsure  that
his mission had been declassified.  He  states  he  is  in  the  process  of
hiring  an  attorney  to  handle  his  request.   The  applicant’s  complete
submission is at Exhibit G.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM APPLICANT:

Examiner’s Note:  The following information was received from the  applicant
on 19 July 2006.

In  an  e-mail  dated  12  July  2006,  the  applicant  states  he  enclosed
documentation that  proves  beyond  the  shadow  of  a  doubt  the  ACS  was
providing support  to  the  Laotian  Air  Force.   He  provides  a  detailed
synopsis of the documentation.  He states the documentation  proves  he  was
in Laos and should receive the decorations and promotions (Exhibit H).

_________________________________________________________________

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.   The  applicant’s  contentions  are  duly
noted;  however,  after  a  thorough  review  of  the  applicant’s  complete
submission, to include his additional comments and the  available  evidence,
we are not persuaded that he has been the victim of an error  or  injustice.
Other than his own assertions, the applicant  has  provided  no  documentary
evidence that would establish his entitlement to the AFCM, the Bronze  Star,
or the Purple Heart.  While we appreciate and honor the applicant’s  service
to his country, in view of the above and in the absence of evidence  by  the
applicant showing his entitlement to the awards, we have no basis  on  which
to favorably consider this request.

4.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been  shown
that a personal appearance with or without counsel will  materially  add  to
our understanding of the issue(s) involved.  Therefore, the  request  for  a
hearing is not favorably considered.
________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented  did  not  demonstrate
the existence of probable 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 not considered with this application.

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application in  Executive
Session on 13 July 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                 Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
                 Ms. Jan Mulligan, Member
                 Ms. Josephine L. Davis, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-2006-00683:

      Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Mar 06 w/atchs.
      Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
      Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 24 Apr 06.
      Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 16 May 06.
      Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 May 06.
      Exhibit F.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, 21 May 06.
      Exhibit G.  Applicant’s Rebuttal, dated 23 Jun 06.
      Exhibit H.  Applicant’s Additional Comments, dated 12 Jul 06,
                 w/atchs.




                                   RICHARD A. PETERSON
                                   Panel Chair