RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01486 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

 

___________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service 
Stars (VSM w/3BSS) – partially administratively corrected to read 
Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS). 

 

2. He be awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). 

 

3. He be awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor 
(AFOUA w/V) and 4 Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/4OLC) – partially 
administratively corrected to read AFOUA with Valor and 2 Oak Leaf 
Clusters (AFOUA w/V and 2OLC). 

 

4. He be awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm 
and 1 Oak Leaf Cluster (RVGC w/P and 1OLC) – partially 
administratively corrected to RVGC w/P. 

 

5. He be awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) – 
administratively corrected. 

 

___________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

The former member served in the Vietnam War at Cam Ranh Bay Air 
Base, Republic of South Vietnam from 10 Nov 70 until the time of 
his death on 21 Jun 71. His spouse provides the following: 

 

 a. She contacted a sergeant who was assigned with her husband and 
was awarded the AFCM. The sergeant suggested she contact the 
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to find out what awards 
were awarded to the former member after his death. 

 

 b. According to the former member’s AF Form 7, Airman Military 
Record, the former member was assigned to several different units 
that were awarded the AFOUA w/V on multiple occassions (see Exhibit 
A). 

 

 c. The former member served in Vietnam from 17 Nov 70 to 21 Jun 
71 and was eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze 
Service Stars for serving during three different campaigns 


(Southwest Monsoon, Commando Hunt V, and Commando Hunt VI). The NA 
Form 13059, Transmittal of and/or entitlement to awards, only 
reflects “2” BSS instead of “3” BSS which she believes is in error. 

 

 d. The former member is entitled to the RVCM for his service with 
the 483rd Civil Engineering Squadron (483rd CES). According to the 
criteria for award of the RVCM, a member of the Armed Forces must 
have served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period from 
1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73. Her husband served 7 months and 10 days 
before being killed in the line of duty. 

 

 e. The former member was assigned to units that were awarded the 
RVGC w/P and 1OLC. 

 

In support of her request, the applicant provides a copy of the 
former member’s NA Form 13059, a copy of an Air Force Medals and 
Ribbons printout, copies of photographs, a copy of a witness 
letter, a copy of AF Form 7, a copy of AF Form 25, Report of Facts 
and Circumstances of Death, copies of his DD Forms 214, Armed 
Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, a copy 
of the witness’ DD Form 214, and a copy of the former member’s 
marriage certificate. 

 

Her complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. 

 

___________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The former member enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 17 Jun 63. 
He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class 
(E-4), having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank 
of 1 Feb 67. The former member served on active duty until his 
death on 21 Jun 71. 

 

APFC/DPSIDR notified the applicant that the former member’s records 
will be administratively corrected to reflect he was awarded the 
RVGC w/P; RVCM; AFOUA w/V and 2OLC; and VSM changed to read VSM 
w/1BSS. She was also advised that devices are not authorized to 
the RVGC w/P. 

 

The AFCM criterion: The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed 
Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with 
the Air Force after 25 Mar 58, shall have distinguished themselves 
by meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must 
be distinctive, though not involve the voluntary risk of life 
required for the Soldier’s Medal (or the Airman’s Medal now 
authorized for the Air Force) may be considered for the AFCM. 

 

___________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 


AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of award of the AFCM. DPSIDR states 
that no documents were located in the former member’s records nor 
were any provided by the applicant to show the former member was 
recommended for the AFCM. Therefore, without a special order to 
award the AFCM, DPSIDR cannot verify the former member’s 
entitlement to the medal. 

 

The DPSIDR complete 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 24 Sep 10 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. In this respect, 
we note the Air Force office of primary responsibility has agreed 
to administratively correct the applicant’s record to reflect 
award of the VSM with one Bronze Service Star; the AFOUA with 
Valor and two Oak Leaf Clusters; the RVGC with Palm; and the RVCM. 
We concur with the Air Force’s recommended actions. However, with 
regard to the applicant’s request for award of the AFCM, we do not 
find she has provided any documentary evidence to substantiate her 
claim that the former member meets the criteria for the award; 
therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air 
Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as 
the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already 
granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend 
granting the relief sought in this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2010-01486 in Executive Session on 19 Jan 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence for Docket Number BC-2010-01486 
was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Apr 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 10 Aug 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Sep 10. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair