RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05843 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the following awards: 1. The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) 2. The Air Force Combat Action Medal. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was unaware that his squadron in Vietnam received the contested awards. While in Vietnam he was under sniper fire numerous times and had to load and aim his M-16 rifle for protection. In support of the applicant’s appeal he submits a personal statement and a copy of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 7 July 1964 for a period of four years. On 5 July 1968, the applicant was honorably discharged. He served 3 years, 11 months and 29 days on active duty with 8 months and 28 days of foreign and/or sea service. On 4 March 2013, AFPC/DPSOE advised the applicant that his request to change his date of rank will be corrected administratively by the separations office. AFPC/DPSOR was able to verify award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor. Upon final board decision, administrative correction will be accomplished. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states on 15 March 2007, the Secretary of the Air Force approved establishment of the Air Force Combat Action Medal to recognize any military member of the Air Force (airman basic through colonel) who actively participated in combat (ground to air). The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have been under direct and hostile fire while operating in unsecured space (outside the defended perimeter), or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire. The Air Force Combat Action Medal may be awarded for qualifying service from 11 September 2001, to a date to be determined. Retroactive awards prior to 11 September 2001 are not authorized. The PUC is awarded to units of the United States Armed Forces for outstanding performance in action against an armed enemy occurring on, or after 16 October 1941, for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps units; and on or after 7 December 1941, for United States Army and United States Air Force units. DPSID was unable to verify that any units in which the applicant served were awarded the PUC, rendering the applicant ineligible for the award. The DPSID complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 8 March 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. ________________________________________________________________ _ 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. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, after reviewing the evidence of record, 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 provided sufficient evidence to substantiate his entitlement to the PUC and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. Therefore, other than the administrative corrections cited above, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 4. 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 an 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-05843 in Executive Session on 12 September 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 December 2012. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 19 February 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 March 2013. 2 3