RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2008-01811
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL: 

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded all medals to which entitled, including but not limited to, the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR), the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), and other combat action awards, i.e., the Combat Readiness Medal (CRM) 
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He earned these medals and they were omitted from his records.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 22 Aug 67, for a term of four years, and was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant (E-5).  On 20 Jul 75, he was honorably discharged after completion of term of service.  He served a total of eight years, and three days active duty service.

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 21 Jul 71 reenlistment reflects award of the National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM).  The DD Form 214 issued in conjunction with his 20 Jul 75 separation reflects award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

The AFCM was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 28 Mar 58, for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force after 24 Mar 58, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service.

The PUC is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy.  This unit must have displayed such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to have set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign.

The CRM is to be awarded to Air Force, Air Force Reserve and members of other services after 1 Aug 60, for sustained individual combat or mission readiness preparedness for direct weapon-system employment.  Specifically, a service member must meet all of the following criteria; complete an aggregate 24 months of sustained professional performance as a member of Air Force combat or mission-ready units subject to combat readiness reporting, or be individually certified as combat or mission ready and have maintained individual readiness the entire period according to a major headquarters, or subject to an individual positional evaluation program according to a higher headquarters standard.

The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) is awarded to US service members, operating under the control of the U.S. Navy, in the grade of   0-6, or below, who have actively participated in ground or surface combat.  Upon submission of evidence to their commanding officer, personnel who earned the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) or Combat Medical Badge (CMB) while a member of the U.S. Army may request authorization to wear the CAR.

On 14 Aug 08, his records were administratively corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/1 OLC, and the Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the AFCM, the PUC and the CRM.  DPSIDR states that after review of the applicant’s master personnel records, there was nothing in his records to verify his entitlement to the AFCM, the PUC or the CRM.  He did not submit any documentation to substantiate his entitlement to these awards.  His records already reflect award of the NDSM.

The complete DPSIDR 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 26 Sep 08, for review and comment 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 error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s submission and the available evidence of record, the Board was not persuaded that he should be awarded the AFCM, the PUC or the CRM.  In regards to the applicant’s request for the CAR, we note that it is only awarded to those service member who, while operating under the control of the Navy, have actively participated in ground or surface combat, or earned the CIB or CMB while a member of the Army.  We find no evidence the applicant ever operated under the control of the Navy or was an Army member.  As such, he does not meet the eligibility requirements for the award.  In view of this, 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 the applicant has not been the victim of an error or an injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought 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 a 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-2008-01811 in Executive Session on 27 Jan 09, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			Panel Chair
			Member
			Member

The following documentary evidence was considered under Docket Number BC-2008-01811:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 24 Apr 08.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Memo, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 6 Aug 08.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Sep 08.

		Panel Chair