RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-03108
		
  					COUNSEL:  NONE

					HEARING DESIRED:  NO



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty, be updated to reflect the following awards along with any 
associated campaign streamers:

      Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V); 
(Administratively corrected)
      
      Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P); 
(Administratively corrected)
      
      Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM); (Administratively corrected)
      
      Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was not aware of his eligibility for the awards until 
notified by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA).  He was 
on active duty at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam from 1985 to 
1986.  While at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines he qualified 
with an M-16 Rifle as a Small Arms Expert Marksman, but never 
received his ribbon.  

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 25 Jun 62, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.  

According to his AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, he was 
assigned to Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam from 3 Jul 65 to 20 Jul 
66.  

On 21 Jun 66, the applicant received an honorable discharge.  He 
was credited with 3 years, 11 months and 27 days of active 
service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), included at Exhibit C.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends approval of the AFOUA w/V & 2BOLC, Vietnam 
Service Medal (VSM) w/two Bronze Service Stars (2BSS), RVNGC 
w/P, and the VCM.  The applicant was assigned to the 341st Combat 
Defense Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, between 12 
Sep 62 and 13 Feb 64, during which time they received award of 
the AFOUA for award inclusive period 22 Oct 62 to 31 Dec 63.  He 
was also assigned to the 6252nd Air Police Squadron, Da Nang Air 
Base, Vietnam between 1 Oct 65 and 7 Apr 66, during which time 
they received award of the AFOUA for award inclusive period 1 
Jun 65 to 7 Apr 66.  Additionally, the applicant was assigned to 
the 35th Air Police Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam between 8 
Apr 66 and 20 Jun 66, during which time they received the AFOUA 
for award inclusive period 8 Apr 66 to 31 May 66. 

The applicant received the VSM, as annotated on his DD Form 214.  
DPSID believes the applicant is requesting campaign streamers in 
conjunction with award of the VSM.  Based on his dates in 
Vietnam, DPSID was able to verify he is authorized two Bronze 
Service Stars (BSS) to the VSM for his participation in the 
Vietnam Defensive Campaign and Vietnam Air Campaign.   

AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval of campaign streamers.  The 
award of the BSS to the applicant’s awarded VSM is the 
appropriate individual recognition of the applicant’s campaign 
participation.  Campaign streamers denote participation of a 
unit in a designated DoD campaign.  Awarded for active Federal 
military service to units or organizations that are authorized 
an organizational color or distinguishing flag to recognize 
receipt of campaign participation credit.  Campaign streamers 
are embroidered swallow-tailed ribbons of the same design as 
campaign or service medals awarded to members for service in a 
named campaign.  Campaign streamers are usually embroidered with 
the name of the campaign, operation, or expedition designated by 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, authorized by the DoD and announced 
in DoD Manual 1348.33.  Eligible units carry a campaign streamer 
on their organizational flag start and guidon.  Each designated 
campaign name for which the unit receives participation credit 
is embroidered on an individual campaign streamer.  Commanders 
of units that meet the unit eligibility requirements procure, 
through supply channels, and display the appropriate campaign 
streamer after written evidence (message, memorandum, special 
order) from AFPC/DPSIDR or the Air Component Command that is 
responsible for the air war of the particular war, campaign or 
conflict.  Streamer sizes vary depending on the size of the flag 
on the flag staff.  


DPSID recommends disapproval of the SAEMR. They were unable to 
verify the applicant qualified as expert with either the M-16 
rifle or issue handgun; rendering him ineligible for the award.  
The SAEMR is awarded to all United States Air Force members who 
after 1 Jan 63, qualify as “expert” in small-arms marksmanship 
with either the M-16 rifle or issue handgun.  Qualification as 
“expert” in both weapons after 22 Jun 72 shall be denoted by a 
bronzer service star worn on the service ribbon.  

Based on review of the applicant’s official military personnel 
record, DPSID was able to determine that the below Air Force 
Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the 
applicant’s service from 25 Jun 62 to 21 Jun 66 and were not 
reflected in his records.  Upon final board decision, 
administrative correction of the applicant’s official military 
personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR:

	*Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM)
	*Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and two 
	Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/V & 2BOLC)
	*Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars (VSM 
w/2BSS)
	*Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P)
	*Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM)   
 
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 17 Feb 15 for review and comment 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 an error or injustice warranting 
correction of the applicant’s records to reflect his entitlement 
to the SAEMR and campaign streamers.  We took notice of the 
applicant's complete submission, including attachments, 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 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 relief beyond 
that rendered administratively.


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. 


All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-03108 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 Jul 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Nov 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Feb 15.