RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00605
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was recommended for a BSM; however, it was never awarded or
presented due to an administrative error.
In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of AF
Form 642, Recommendation for Decoration; AF Form 11, Officer
Military Record; an Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM)
citation, and various other documents associated with his
request.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 1 Aug 69, he retired from the Air Force after serving
26 years, 3 months and 24 days of active service.
The BSM is awarded to a person in any branch of the military
service, who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed
Forces of the United States after 6 Dec 41, shall have
distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious
achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial
flight, in connection with military operations against an armed
enemy. The award recognizes acts of heroism performed in ground
combat if they are of lesser degree than required for the Silver
Star. It also recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious
service if the achievement or service is of a lesser degree than
that deemed worthy of the Legion of Merit (LOM); but such
service must have been accomplished with distinction.
DPSID was able to verify that the applicant should have been
awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC
w/P) during his service from 31 Mar 43 to 31 Jul 69. DPSOR will
administratively correct his records.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of
the Air Force which is at Exhibit C.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states that they were
unable to locate any official documentation verifying the
applicant was approved for award of the BSM.
DPSID states that the applicants submission was not requested
in a timely manner as over 47 years have passed since the
recommendation for award of the BSM was initiated. In addition,
DPSID states the merits of the applicants achievements do not
warrant consideration of the BSM. As his request does not
contain a proposed citation or any eyewitness statements; which
at this point any eyewitness statement accounts would be
questionable due to the passage of time. The applicant provided
poor copies of a BSM recommendation and narrative dated 1 Sep
67, for the BSM for outstanding achievement from 27 Sep 66 to
1 Sep 67, while stationed in Thailand. The documentation has
the name, grade, and duty title of the individual initiating the
recommendation; however, the recommendation the applicant
provided was never physically signed; therefore, it does not
appear that it was ever placed into official channels due to
lack of signature on the recommendation and narrative.
DPSIDs impression is that the BSM was denied as the timeframe
of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) is overlapped and
written in a general way that could encompass the merits to
which the BSM recommendation attempted to distinguish.
The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant on 22 Apr 13, for review and comment (Exhibit D). As
of this date, this office has not received a response.
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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. After
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the
applicants contentions, we do not find any official
documentation to show that he was awarded the BSM. Therefore,
we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force
office of primary responsibility and adopt the rationale
expressed as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not
been the victim of an error or injustice. In view of the above
and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis
to recommend granting further relief in this application.
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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.
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_
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number
BC-2013-00605 in Executive Session on 19 Nov 13, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 Jan 23 {sic}, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicants Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 Apr 13.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 May 13.
Panel Chair
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