RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02740 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Block 24 of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect: 1. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze Service Stars (VSM). (ADMINISTRATIVELY CORRECTED) 2. He was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). (ADMINISTRATIVELY CORRECTED) 3. He was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM). 4. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citations (PUC). 5. He was awarded the Meritorious Unit Award (MUC). 6. He was awarded Vietnam Unit Citation (VUC). 7. He was awarded the Vietnam Civil Action (VCA) Honor Medal. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: These decorations were left off his DD Form 214. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of his Master Personnel Records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 7 February 1967 through 17 October 1970. He was honorably discharged and credited with serving 3 years, 8 months and 11 days of active duty service. The DD Form 214 issued in conjunction with his 17 October 1970 release from active duty, reflects his entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, and the RVN Campaign Medal. _______________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. The applicant's entitlement to the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm were verified and his records were corrected accordingly. They were, however, unable to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the other requested awards. The AFGCM is awarded to enlisted members for exemplary conduct while in active military service. The applicant received an Article 15 on 25 July 1969. He is not entitled to the award of the AFGCM. The applicant’s unit was awarded the RVNGC w/P during his period of assignment. They were not awarded any additional unit awards during his assignment. Therefore, he is not entitled to the PUC or the MUC. There are no awards with the description of VUC or VCA Honor Medal as requested by the applicant. Accordingly, entitlement to these decorations or awards could not be verified. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 26 August 2011 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no response (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ 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 injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission and the available evidence of record 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 its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to grant the relief sought in this application. 4. With respect to his request for the VUC and the VCA Honor Medal, although the applicant does not spell-out what these acronyms mean, it appears he is referring to the Vietnam Unit Citation (VUC) and the Vietnam Civil Action (VCA) Honor Medal. However, these decorations are not U.S. decorations and were awarded by the Republic of Vietnam (RVN). As such, this portion of his application is not within the purview of the Board, as we lack the authority to award them. Moreover, there are only two RVN decorations authorized for wear by U.S. Armed Forces personnel and they are the RVN Campaign Medal and the RVN Gallantry Cross, with palm – both of which the applicant is already entitled. 5. The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 BCMR Docket Number BC-2011-02740 in Executive Session on 2 February 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to BCMR Docket Number BC-2011-02740 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Jul 11 w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 18 Aug 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Aug 11. Panel Chair