RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03104 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

 1. He be provided with the special order for the award of 
the Antarctica Service Medal (ASM). 

 

 2. His records be corrected to reflect award of the Air 
Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was awarded the ASM while he was on a temporary duty 
assignment to New Zealand for Operation DEEP FREEZE in Nov/Dec 
1964. However, he never received orders stating he was 
authorized to wear the ASM. 

 

He was told that he qualified for award of the AFCAM; however, it 
is not listed on his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge. He was a flight engineer 
on a certified combat ready C-130 crew from 1966 to 1969. During 
this period, he spent three months flying Blind Bat/Lamp Lighter 
missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail. He flew fact sheet missions 
dropping leaflets over North Vietnam from Feb 66 to Aug 67. He 
delivered ammo and armor to Marines under siege in Khe Sanh, 
Vietnam. He received several Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) 
medals for his actions. He also made several air drops, med-evac 
and cargo runs over the years. 

 

He is preparing a display of his ribbons and medals for his 
grandchildren and wants it to be correct. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 28 Feb 69, the applicant was discharged from the Regular Air 
Force for Expiration of Term of Service. He served eight years 
and one month on active duty. 

 


The Air Force office of primary responsibility determined the 
applicant’s eligibility for award of the Air Force Longevity 
Service Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFLSA w/1 BOLC) 
and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC 
w/Palm). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states they were unable to 
locate documentation verifying the applicant was deployed to 
Antarctica. To grant award of the ASM without verification would 
be contrary to the award criteria set forth in DoDM 1348.33, 
Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD Service Awards – 
Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service Medals. 

 

On 15 Mar 07, the AFCAM was established to recognize any military 
member of the Air Force who actively participated in combat 
(ground to air). The AFCAM may be awarded for qualifying service 
from 11 Sep 01 to a date to be determined. Retroactive awards 
prior to 11 Sep 01 are not authorized. 

 

DPSID states the applicant was discharged from active duty on 
28 Feb 69, rendering him ineligible for the Air Force Combat 
Action Medal. 

 

The complete DPSID 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 11 Oct 12, 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 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 its 
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 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 this application in 
Executive Session on 9 Apr 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

, Member 

, Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-
2012-03104: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149s (2), dated 12 Jul 12, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 Sep 12. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Oct 12. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair