RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01671 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH). 

 

2. He be awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM). 

 

3. He be awarded the Armed Force Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). 

 

4. He be awarded the Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour 
(AFOR-ST). 

 

5. He be awarded the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon 
(AFESR). 

 

6. He be awarded the difference in back pay from E-3 to E-4 
from September 1968 to September 1969. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He earned the above listed decorations while stationed in 
Vietnam from September 1968 to September 1969. On his fourth 
day in Vietnam, he was at his duty post when a large scale 
attack penetrated their perimeter. He sustained injuries from a 
122mm rocket that landed next to his duty shack. He was thrown 
into the air and landed on a wall. He then stumbled and fell 
down and was stepped on by enemy forces who were trying to elude 
the military police. 

 

A month or so later, he was transferred to the Combat Group 
Dispensary and assigned to the emergency trauma section. While 
in this position, he traveled by helicopter and convoy to remote 
locations to treat villagers. He participated in approximately 
28 combat missions. During one of these missions, he was cut on 
his left leg when he was bitten by a Burmese python. He still 
has the scar from this snake bite. 

 

When he arrived at Holloman Air Force Base, he was told that he 
should have been promoted to E-4 prior to leaving Vietnam. He 
was told to report the next day with E-4 stripes. 

 


In support of his appeal, the applicant submits a personal 
statement, a copy of his honorable discharge certificate, a 
picture of him while in Vietnam, a copy of a Certificate of 
Appreciation, a copy of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the 
United States Report of Transfer or Discharge and other 
supporting documentation. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 20 January 
1967. He was progressively promoted to the grade of Sgt E-4. 
He was honorably discharged on 19 January 1971 and was credited 
with serving 4 years of active duty service. 

 

The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects he was awarded the Small 
Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the National Defense Service 
Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Air Force Good 
Conduct Medal. 

 

Additionally, pursuant to an application for Correction of 
Military Records on 10 February 2007, the applicant was awarded 
the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, three Bronze 
Service Stars to his Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force 
Longevity Service Award Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam 
Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign 
Medal. 

 

In accordance with AFM 900-3, during the period in question, the 
PH was awarded for wounds received in action against an enemy, 
or as a direct result of an act of an enemy, opposing armed 
force or hostile foreign force. For the purpose of considering 
award of the PH, a wound was defined as an injury to any part of 
the body from an outside force or agent. A physical lesion was 
not required, provided the concussion or other form of injury 
received was due to direct enemy, opposing armed force or 
hostile action. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states the applicant is 
not entitled to the award of the PH. The applicant has not 
provided any medical documentation verifying he received 
treatment for injuries sustained as a direct result of enemy 
action. 

 

DPSIDRA also states the applicant is not entitled to the award 
of the AFCAM, the AFOR-ST, or the AFESR. These awards were 


authorized several years after the applicants discharge from the 
service and entitlement to these awards is not retroactive. 

 

No service member may be issued both the VSM and the AFEM. The 
applicant has been awarded the VSM with 3 Bronze Service Stars 
and therefore is not entitled to the award of the AFEM. 

 

The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSOE recommends denial. DPSOE states the applicant’s 
request should be time barred. Based on the applicant’s date of 
rank to E-4 of 1 October 1969 and his total active federal 
military service dates, or his time in service of 20 January 
1967, he was promoted in the best qualified zone, prior to 
reaching his 40 months time in service. 

 

The complete DPSOE evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 16 September 2011, for review and comment within 
30 days (Exhibit E). 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. We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission and the available 
evidence of record in judging the merits of the case. However, 
we are not persuaded based upon the evidence presented of the 
applicant’s entitlement to the requested awards. Similarly, we 
are not persuaded the applicant is entitled to back pay for his 
promotion to E-4. Therefore, we agree with the Air Force 
offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as 
the basis for conclusion that the applicant has not been the 
victim of an error or injustice. 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 the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-
2011-01671 in Executive Session on 20 October 2011, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 27 Apr 11 w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 9 Aug 11. 

Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOE, dated 26 Aug 11. 

Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Sep 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair