RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03427 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be updated to reflect the following 
awards: 

 

 a. The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) – administratively 
corrected. 

 

 b. The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). 

 

 c. The Meritorious Unit Award (MUA). 

 

 d. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V) 
– administratively corrected to read AFOUA w/V and one Oak Leaf 
Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1 OLC). 

 

 e. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) with three Bronze Service 
Stars (VSM w/3 BSS) – administratively corrected. 

 

 f. The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one Bronze 
Service Star (SAEMR w/1 BSS). 

 

 g. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC 
w/P) – administratively corrected. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His records should be updated to reflect the aforementioned 
awards for his service. Specifically, he submits a copy of the 
citation for award of the AFCM. He served with the 37th Security 
Police Squadron while in Vietnam and should receive the VSM w/3 
BSS and RVNGC w/P; he is entitled to the PUC for his service at 
either Webb AFB, Texas, or with the 449th Security Police 
Squadron, Kincheloe AFB, Michigan; he qualified as “Expert” with 
the 38-Calibre Combat Masterpiece pistol while stationed at Webb 
AFB; and he served with the 37th Security Police Squadron, Phu 
Cat AB, Republic of South Vietnam and should be entitled to the 
MUA. 

 


In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, a copy of his DD Form 214, a copy of his AF Form 899, Permanent Change of Station Order – Military, and a copy of a 
citation with seal to accompany the award of the AFCM. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 30 Aug 65 
and was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (E-4). 
He was honorably discharged on 24 Jan 69 after serving 3 years, 
4 months, and 25 days on active duty. 

 

On 21 Nov 11, AFPC/DPSIDRA sent the applicant a letter notifying 
him that they were able to verify his entitlement to the AFCM, 
the AFOUA w/V and 1 OLC, the VSM w/3 BSS, and the RVNGC w/P. 
However, with regard to the MUA, the award was established and 
valid for service members who served on active duty on or after 
11 Sep 01; therefore, he does not qualify for the award since he 
was discharged from active duty on 24 Jan 69. The PUC and SAEMR 
w/1 BSS could not be verified. 

 

SAEMR criterion: The SAEMR was authorized by the Secretary of 
the Air Force on 28 Aug 62. It is awarded to all U.S. Air Force 
service members who, after 1 Jan 63, qualify as expert in small-
arms marksmanship with either the M-16 or issue handgun. 

 

The PUC criteria: Executive Order 9075 on 26 Feb 42, created 
this award and was superseded by Executive Order 9396 on 2 Dec 
43, which authorized the Distinguished Unit Citation, and this 
executive order was superseded by Executive Order 10694, on 
10 Jan 57 which redesignated the Distinguished Unit Citation as 
the Presidential Unit Citation. It is conferred on units of the 
armed forces of the United States and of cobelligerent nations, 
for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or 
after 7 Dec 41. The unit must display such gallantry, 
determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission 
as to set it apart from and above other units participating in 
the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as 
that which would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross 
to an individual. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial of the PUC, MUA, and SAEMR. After 
a thorough review of the governing pamphlet, to date, no 
stateside unit has been awarded the PUC. Additionally, the 
applicant was notified of his ineligibility for award of the MUA. 
With regard to the applicant’s request for the SAEMR, they were 


unable to locate AF Form 522, USAF Ground Weapons Training Data, 
or a letter from the Small Arms Marksmanship Monitor stating the 
applicant qualified as expert with either the M-16 rifle or issue 
handgun, or a special order authorizing his entitlement to the 
SAEMR. 

 

The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 22 Dec 11 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 with regard to 
the applicant’s request for the PUC, MUA, and SAEMR w/1 BSS. In 
this respect, 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 relief beyond that already granted 
administratively is not warranted. Therefore, in the absence of 
evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to favorably consider 
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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-03427 in Executive Session on 6 March 2012, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

, Panel Chair 

, Member 

, Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 22 Aug 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 21 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Dec 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair