RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04002 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to show entitlement to the 
following medals: 

 

 1. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Oak 
Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1 OLC). 

 

 2. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC 
w/P). (Entitlement verified – will be administratively corrected) 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

The applicant asserts that other members of his units received 
the AFOUA w/V &1OLC and the RVNGC w/P and two Bronze Service 
Stars, while serving in Vietnam. The units he refers to are the 
509th Bomb Wing (509th BW), the 509th Combat Support Squadron 
(509th CSS), and the 1131st Special Activity Squadron (1131st 
SAS). 

 

A letter from the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) to 
a member of his unit clearly states the AFOUA w/2 V’s is 
authorized because “all” detachments to this unit share in 
squadron awards. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer 
or Discharge, a letter from the AFHRA, email correspondence, an 
Excerpt from Air Force Pamphlet 900-2, Volume II, Unit 
Decorations, Awards, and Campaign Participation Credits, Special 
Order GR-345, dated 14 May 75, a History of the 509th Bomb Wing 
factsheet, and Airman Performance Report. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force from 
17 Nov 65 to 16 Nov 69, at which time he was honorably released 
from active duty. He served on active duty for 9 years, 


11 months, and 6 days, of which one 6 months, and 1 day was 
Foreign Service. 

 

While assigned to the 509th CSS, Pease Air Force Base, New 
Hampshire, the applicant was deployed to the 1131st SAS, 
Detachment 11, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, from 9 Apr 69 to 
21 Sep 69. 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR verified the applicant’s entitlement to the RVNGC 
w/P, and an additional Bronze Service Star (BSS) to his Vietnam 
Service Medal. His DD Form 214 will be administratively 
corrected to include these awards. 

 

The AFOUA is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to units 
that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious 
service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit 
above and apart from similar units. When the AFOUA is awarded to 
a unit for combat or direct combat support, the Valor device may 
be worn on the service ribbon. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends partial relief by correcting the 
applicant’s records to reflect the RVNGC w/P. DPSIDRA recommends 
disapproval of the applicant’s request for entitlement to the 
AFOUA w/V & 1 OLC. 

 

DPSIDR states according to AFP 900-2, Volumes I-IV, they were 
able to confirm the 509th BW, Headquarters, received award of the 
AFOUA with award inclusive dates of 1 Apr 68 to 1 Oct 68. 
However, according to the applicant’s performance report, he was 
assigned to the 509th BW from 1 May 67 to 4 Sep 67. DPSIDR 
confirmed the 509th Combat Support Group (509th CSG) received the 
AFOUA with award inclusive dates of 1 Jul 73 to 30 Jun 74, and 
1 Jul 77 to 30 Jun 79. However, according to the applicant’s 
performance report he was assigned to the 509th CSS from 4 Sep 
67 to 21 Sep 69, with the exception of his aforementioned 
deployment to Vietnam. DPSIDR has confirmed the following 
detachments of the 1131st SAS received award of the AFOUA with 
the corresponding dates listed. 

 

Detachment 8 received the AFOUA with award inclusive dates of 1 
Jul 68 to 31 Oct 69. 

 

Detachment 10 received the AFOUA w/V with award inclusive dates 
of 1 Jul 67 to 30 Jun 69, and 1 Jul 69 to 31 Dec 70. 

 

The applicant was assigned to the 1131st SAS, Detachment 11, from 
9 Apr 69 to 21 Sep 69; therefore, he is not eligible for 
entitlement to the AFOUA and the AFOUA w/V as he was not assigned 
to Detachments (8 & 10) during the qualifying award inclusive 
periods. 

 


The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 16 Dec 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to 
the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a 
response has not been received (Exhibit C). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 regards to 
applicant’s request for award of the AFOUA w/V & 1 OLC. 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 the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We 
note the Air Force office of primary responsibility has verified 
the applicant’s entitlement to the RVNGC w/P and the applicant’s 
DD Form 214 will be updated to reflect this medal. Therefore, 
aside from the aforementioned administrative correction, we find 
no basis to recommend further relief in this case. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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-2011-04002 in Executive Session on 20 Mar 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 


The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number 
BC-2011-04002 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 5 Oct 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 15 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Dec 11. 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair