RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-02495
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Air Medal (AM).

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Due to the classified nature of the Rustic Operation, draw down of U.S. forces in Vietnam and Thailand, the exigencies of the mission, among other related issues, timely and appropriate recognition were precluded.

In support of his request, applicant provided his counsel's brief, proposed citation, endorsement affidavits, and his Officer Effectiveness Report closing 2 Jun 71.  His complete submission, with attachments is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant served in the Republic of Vietnam as an airborne Intelligence officer assigned to Rustic Operation.  

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends consideration be given to his request for award of the AM.  DPPPR states many members of the Rustic Forward Air Controller (FAC) units did not receive recognition of specific flights due to the rapid mission requirements at the time.  Recognition is now being afforded these Rustic FAC members.   The DPPPR evaluation is at 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  Since his request for award of the Aircrew Member Badge has been administratively corrected, the only issue to be decided is whether award of the AM is warranted.  Evidence provided by the applicant, to include affidavits from his former supervisor and individuals with first-hand knowledge of his accomplishments, indicate he flew FAC intelligence gathering missions over the Republic of Vietnam.  It appears that timely submission for award of the AM was precluded by to the classified nature of Rustic operations and exigencies of the service.  In view of the above and in recognition of his achievements in the service to his country, it is our opinion that his records should be corrected to reflect award of the AM as indicated below.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Air Medal for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 5 July 1971.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-02495 in Executive Session on 28 Sep 04, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 Jul 04, /atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 24 Sep 04, w/atch.

AFBCMR BC-2004-02495

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Air Medal for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 5 July 1971.