RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03262 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

___________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be 
corrected to reflect the following: 

 

 1. He was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 
Combat Valor (AFOUA w/V). 

 

 2. He was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with 
Palm (RVNGC w/P). 

 

 3. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). 

 

 4. He was awarded the Fourragere of the Gallantry Cross with 
Palm. 

 

 5. He was awarded the Air Force Longevity Service Award 
(AFLSA). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was assigned to the 23d Wing in October 1971 and remained 
with them until he was discharged on 25 August 1972. The 23d 
Wing had three squadrons: the 561st, the 562d and the 563d. He 
was originally with the 563d. The 563d and 562d were 
deactivated and he was reassigned to the 561st. His record 
should reflect he was awarded the AFOUA w/ Combat Valor (6 April 
1972 to 27 January 1973) and the RVNGC w/P (1 April 1966 to 
28 January 1973) for his service in with the 561st. 

 

He was on temporary duty (TDY) to Vietnam from April to May 1970 
and assigned to the 834th Air Division. During this time, this 
unit was awarded the PUC. It was also awarded the Fourragere of 
the Vietnam Gross of Gallantry. 

 

He also qualifies for the Air Force Longevity Service Award for 
his service with the Air National Guard. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides excerpts from 
his master personnel record. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 August 
1968. Data extracted from his master personnel record shows he 
was temporarily attached to the 834th Air Division from 7 April 
1970 to 28 May 1970. He was also assigned to the 563d Tactical 
Fighter Wing from 10 July 1971 to 9 July 1972. He was honorably 
discharged from the Air Force on 25 August 1972. He was 
credited with 3 years, 11 months and 29 days of active duty 
service. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. The applicant was awarded the 
RVNGC w/P as a result of an inquiry on 27 July 2011. Only one 
RVNGC w/P may be worn regardless of the number of times the 
decoration is awarded. The Fourragere of the Vietnam Cross of 
Gallantry with Palm is no longer recognized for wear by the 
Department of Defense (DOD). 

 

The criteria for the award of the AFLSA is four years of active 
military service. The applicant’s record verifies he served on 
active duty for 3 years, 11 months and 29 days, which does not 
meet the criteria for this award. Therefore, he is not entitled 
to the award of the AFLSA. 

 

A review of the applicant’s master personnel records failed to 
substantiate the applicant’s entitlement to the PUC, AFOUA w/ V 
and additional award of the RVNGC w/ P. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant reiterates he is entitled to the AFLSA as he 
served with the National Guard for a short time after the war. 
He was discharged on 3 March 1975. He also restates his service 
with the 834th Air Division, 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron and 
the 563d Tactical Fighter Squadron which entitles him to the 
decorations that he seeks. 

 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, 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 an error or injustice with respect 
to the applicant’s request for the AFOUA w/V, PUC, RVNGC w/P and 
the Fourragers of the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/P. We took 
notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; 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 that the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. 
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find 
no relief is warranted. 

 

4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has 
been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or 
injustice regarding award of the AFLSA. We note the 
recommendation of denial by the Air Force office of primary 
responsibility due to the applicant’s period of active duty 
service being short of the requisite time needed to obtain the 
award. However, we note the applicant’s separation was in 
conjunction with a weekend and it appears his early separation 
may have been for the convenience of the Air Force. Therefore, 
we believe the applicant’s two day shortfall was through no 
fault of his own and we elect to resolve any doubt in this 
matter in favor of the applicant. Therefore, we recommend the 
records be corrected to the extent 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 on 
25 August 1972 he was awarded the Air Force Longevity Service 
Award. 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-03262 in Executive Session on 26 April 2012, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

, Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 


All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2011-3262 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 21 Aug 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 21 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Jan 12. 

 Exhibit E. Applicant’s Response, dated 19 Jan 12, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair