RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00947
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), effective 21 Oct 68, be corrected to reflect award of the Republic of Vietnam Civic Action Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Two Oak Leaf Clusters and a Valor device.

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is entitled to these medals and that he qualified as an expert on the M-16 and issued handguns.

In support of his appeal, applicant submitted a copy of his DD Form 214, a certificate of Outstanding Civic Action, AF Form 7 (Airman Military Record) and extracts of AFP 900-2.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

___________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 22 Feb 65 for a period of four years in the grade airman basic.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-3), with an effective date and date of rank of 1 Feb 66.  He was released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve on 21 Oct 68.  He completed 3 years and 8 months of active duty, which included 1 year, 5 months, and 27 days of foreign service.

Applicant was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, with One Bronze Service Star (BSS), Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA).

Applicant’s record was administratively corrected to reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal, with Two Bronze Service Stars, AFOUA, with Valor and One Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm.

___________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application and recommended denial.  Applicant served an overseas tour in Vietnam during the period 13 Apr 67 - 12 Apr 68 with the 12th Security Police Squadron.  Applicant was advised that award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with V device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters could not be verified based on the documentation provided.  He was asked to provide documentation to substantiate his claims.

He responded and requested that the portion of his request pertaining to the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon be withdrawn.  He stated that the Civic Action Award was given to him in Vietnam, but he lost it.  However, he received another certificate when stationed at Dow AFB ME (now closed) after his return from Vietnam.  

DPPPR states that there is no such award as a “Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.”  There is a Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, but the Republic of Vietnam awarded it only to units.  The applicant’s unit in Vietnam, the 12th SPS, did not receive this award.  The 12 SPS did earn the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with the V device, two times.  Therefore, he is entitled to only one oak leaf cluster, not two.

They further stated they could not find any indication in applicant’s records that he was assigned to the 60th SPS after his return from Vietnam, only Det 1, 60th FIS.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant reiterated his original contentions and requested the Board consider the evidence he has provided.

His complete statement 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 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 their 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 compelling 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-00947 in Executive Session on 2 July 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 Mar 03, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 27 May 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Jun 03.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Jun 03.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair