RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02965
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect award of the Bronze Star
Medal (BSM).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) instead
of the BSM when left Vietnam. He was told he did not receive
the BSM because he was not a sergeant.
His commanding officer and supervisor attempted to get him
promoted from July 1969 until the time he left Vietnam. He had
the time in grade and was qualified; however, the promotion kept
getting put off and his records were destroyed in an attack. He
did not get his promotion until his next duty station.
He believes granting him the BSM it is the right thing to do.
In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of
extracts from his master personnel records.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The available records reflect the applicant served on active
duty from 6 Jul 67 to 2 Jul 71. He was credited with 3 years,
11 months and 27 days of active service and one year of Foreign
and/or Sea Service.
The BSM is awarded to a person in any branch of the military
service who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces
of the United States on or after 7 Dec 44, shall have
distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or
service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in
connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states they were
unable to locate official documentation verifying the applicant
is entitled to the BSM.
DPSIDR states any recommendation for decorations, including the
BSM, is submitted on an individual basis and is a voluntary act
on the part of the recommending official. Under the 1996
National Defense Authorization Act, veterans may be recommended
for a decoration by following these procedures. However, the
written decoration recommendation must meet two criteria: 1) be
made by someone, other than the member himself, in the members
chain of command at the time of the incident, and, who has
firsthand knowledge of the acts or achievements; and 2) be
submitted through a congressional member who can ask a military
service to review a proposal for a decoration based on the
merits of the proposal and the award criteria in existence when
the event occurred. The decoration must include the name of the
decoration, i.e., BSM, reason for recognition (heroism,
achievement, or meritorious service), inclusive dates of the
act, and a narrative description of the act. The recommending
official must sign the recommendation. Also, a proposed
citation is required and any chain of command endorsements (at
the time of the act or service) are required. Any statements
from fellow comrades, eyewitness statements attesting to the
act, sworn affidavits, and other documentation substantiating
the recommendation should be included in the package.
The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
His AFCM citation shows it was for meritorious service, which is
a qualification for the BSM. His performance reports show he
was qualified for the grade of sergeant. He believes someone
did not do their job at the time and since it has been 40 years,
he cannot meet two of the criterion listed by HQ AFPC/DPSIDR.
The applicants complete submission 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. We took notice
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of
the case, to include his response to the Air Force evaluation;
however, 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 the applicant has not been the
victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of
evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting
the relief sought in this application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of 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 Docket Number
BC-2010-02965 in Executive Session on 12 April 2011, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Aug 10.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 30 Nov 10.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Dec 10.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 27 Dec 10.
Panel Chair
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