RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03667
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device (AFOUA w/V), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM), Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star (VSM w/1SSS), the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR), the Presidential Unit citation with “V” device, and the VSM with three bronze service stars (VSM w/3BSS).

Examiner’s Note:  AFPC/DPPPRA indicated the applicant’s records show he is entitled to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device (AFOUA w/V), the Vietnam Service Medal w/3 Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3BSS), the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM).  Therefore, the only issues before the Board is the SAEMR, the PUC w/V, and the VSM w/1SSS.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have received the requested awards.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 8 September 1967 in the grade of airman basic for a period of four years.

On 7 September 1971, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of sergeant, under the provisions of AFR 39-10 (Expiration Term of Service).  He served four years total active military service.

The applicant’s DD Form 214 indicates he received the following decorations and medals:  National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

On 2 December 2003, AFPC/DPPPRA advised the applicant they verified his entitlement to the RVGC w/P, VSM w/3 BSS, and the RVCM.  They advised there is no indication in his records he was awarded the SAEMR and he did not provide any documentation to substantiate his claim.  They stated the bronze service stars for campaign credit are not verified only by the specific time period for each campaign; an individual must be assigned to a unit that received credit for participating in each campaign.  His unit, the 377th Security Police Squadron, only received credit for participation in three campaigns while he was assigned to the unit, not five.  Therefore, he was asked to withdraw the portion of his application requesting award of one silver service star for the VSM.  They further indicated in order to verify his eligibility for award of the SAEMR, they needed a legible copy of the order awarding it to him or an unaltered AF Form 522 showing he qualified as Expert on an Air Force firing range.

On 2 February 2004, the following awards were added to his DD Form 214:  VSM w/1BSS, AFOUA w/V, RVNGC w/P, and the VSM.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR indicated they verified his entitlement to the AFOUA w/V, RVCM and RVGS w/P, but could only verify the VSM w/3 BSS, not one silver service star and they have already been added to his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).  The 377th Security Police Squadron was only credited with participation in three campaigns while the applicant was assigned to the unit; therefore, he is only entitled to three bronze service stars on his VSM.  Although he requested award of the PUC with V device in his 12 December 2003 response, they consider his request for award of the AFOUA w/V to have resolved this issue.  His unit was not awarded the PUC while he was assigned to the unit, and the “V” device is not added to this unit award.  This issue is considered to have been resolved administratively.  Without any official documentation showing the applicant qualified as Expert on an Air Force firing range, they are unable to verify his eligibility for the SAEMR.  The applicant did not provide any documentation to substantiate his claim, even after being asked to do so.  They recommend disapproval of the one silver service star to the VSM and the SAEMR.

The evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 13 February 2004, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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 an error or an 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 and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or an injustice.  According to the applicant’s military personnel records there is no indication he was eligible for the SAEMR, PUC w/V, and the VSM w/1SSS.  On 2 December 2003, AFPC/DPPPRA advised the applicant there is no indication in his records he was awarded the SAEMR and he did not provide any documentation to substantiate his claim.  They stated the bronze service stars for campaign credit are not verified only by the specific time period for each campaign, rather, an individual must be assigned to a unit that received credit for participating in each campaign.  His unit, the XXXth Security Police Squadron, only received credit for participation in three campaigns while he was assigned to the unit, not five.  Therefore, he was asked to withdraw the portion of his application requesting award of one silver service star for the VSM.  Also, it appears the applicant’s unit was awarded the AFOUA w/V rather than the PUC while he was assigned to it, as noted by AFPC/DPPPRA.  They further indicated in order to verify his eligibility for award of the SAEMR, they needed a legible copy of the order awarding it to him or an unaltered AF Form 522 showing that he qualified as Expert on an Air Force firing range.  We note the applicant has not submitted any of the requested documentation.  In view of this, we are not persuaded the applicant has established his entitlement to the decorations.  We note AFPC/DPPPRA has indicated the applicant is entitled to the RVGC w/P, VSM w/3 BSS, AFOUA, and the RVCM and these awards have been added to the applicant’s DD Form 214.  Therefore, in view of the above, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-03667 in Executive Session on 10 March 2004 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 September 2003, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 29 January 2004, 
               w/atchs.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 February 2004.