RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04566
XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO


APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  He be entitled to the Air Force Longevity Service Award 
(AFLSA). (Administratively Corrected)

2.  He be entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

3.  He be entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 
with Palm (RVNGC w/P). 

4.  He be entitled to the Air Force Overseas Ribbon (AFOR) - 
Long Tour.

5.  He be entitled to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 
Valor (AFOUA w/V). 

6.  He be entitled to the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, only displays two awards and he is 
entitled to more.

The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider 
his untimely application because during a reunion he recently 
attended, he was told by former military members that he should 
have been awarded the aforementioned awards.

In support of his request the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of his DD Form 214, DD Form 215, Correction to 
DD Form 214 and NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of 
Service.

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


?
STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 15 May 
1972 to 14 May 1976.  His DD Form 214 reflects one year of 
Foreign and/or Sea Service. 

The VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces 
who between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, served in the 
following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous 
waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the 
airspace thereof and in the direct support of military 
operations in Vietnam.  To be eligible, a Service member must:

      Be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or 
more, days with an organization participating in or directly 
supporting ground (military) operations.

      Be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or 
more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military 
operations.

      Have actually participated as a crew member in one or more 
aerial flights directly supporting military operations.

      Have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 
60 non-consecutive days.  Those time limitations may be waived 
for personnel participating in actual combat operations

The RVNGC w/P is awarded by the Republic of Vietnam to certain 
units of the U.S. armed forces for valorous combat achievement 
during the Vietnam War, 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1973.

The Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Long Tour was authorized by the 
Chief of Staff of the Air Force on 12 October 1980.  Before 
6 January 1986, the ribbon was awarded to Air Force and Air 
Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas 
tour on or after 1 September 1980.  Air Force and Air Force 
Reserve members serving as of 6 January 1986 or later are 
entitled to reflect all Air Force overseas tours credited during 
their career.  A service member may wear both ribbons, if 
appropriate.  The short tour ribbon takes precedence over the 
long-tour ribbon when both are worn.

The AFOUA w/V is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to 
numbered units that have distinguished themselves by 
exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement 
that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. 
The criteria includes; performance of exceptionally meritorious 
service, accomplishment of a specific outstanding achievement of 
national or international significance, combat operations 
against an armed enemy of the United States, or military 
operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile 
actions by an opposing foreign force.  A bronze "V" device is 
worn on the ribbon to denote award for combat or direct combat 
support actions. 

The PUC 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 December 1941. 
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 that which would warrant 
award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s requests for 
entitlement to the VSM, RVNGC w/P, Air Force Overseas Ribbon - 
Long Tour, AFOUA w/V and the PUC.  After a thorough review of 
the applicant’s master personnel records, the applicant does not 
meet the eligibility requirements for the aforementioned awards.

Notwithstanding the above, DPSID was able to verify the 
applicant's entitlement to the AFSLA and the AFOUA.  Upon the 
final Board decision, administrative correction of the 
applicant's official military personnel record will be completed 
by AFPC/DPSOY.

The complete DPSID evaluation with attachment, is at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 21 March 2014, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 
30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this 
office (Exhibit D).


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; 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 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 this application 
in Executive Session on 29 July 2014, under the provisions of 
AFI 36-2603:

 , Panel Chair
 , Member
 , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-
2013-04566:

    Exhibit A.  DD Forms 149, dated 20 September 2013, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 28 February 2014, 
                w/atch.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 March 2014.





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