RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04378 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be entitled to the following awards and or decorations: 1. The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). 2. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA, w/V). 3. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm (RVNGC, w/P). (Administratively Corrected) APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: These awards were omitted from his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 29 Jan 69 separation. He qualified for the awards for his service between 15 Oct 66 – 30 Apr 67 and 21 Jan – 12 May 68. During that time, he was in Eighth Air Force (8thAF) and was assigned to the 377th Combat Support from Nov 66 – Apr 68. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 20 Sep 65, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force for a period of four years. On 29 Jan 69, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 4 months, and 10 days of active service, including 1 year, 7 months and 5 days of foreign service. He was credited with award of the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), the Vietnam Service Medal, with One Bronze Service Star (VSM, w/1BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). On 16 Mar 15, the applicant’s record was administratively corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and his VSM was changed to read Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/4BSS). AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID did not provide a recommendation; however, they requested the Board make a decision on the merits of the case. The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on, or after, 16 Oct 41, for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps units, and on or after 7 Dec 41, for United States Army units. The 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 degree of heroism required is the same as that which would be required for award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. The service or achievement may be in the following: performance of exceptionally meritorious service of national or international significance, accomplishment of a specific outstanding achievement of national or international significance, combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, or military operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force. A bronze valor device may be worn on the service ribbon when the award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is made to a unit for combat or direct combat support. DPSID notes that they are unable to determine with certainty where the applicant was assigned during the inclusive period of when either the PUC or the AFOUA, w/V was awarded to the 8th Aerial Port Squadron. They also note that although during this period special orders were to designate which subordinate units were to share in a unit award, neither of the special orders in question indicate any detachments or operating locations of the 8th Aerial Port Squadron were so designated. A search of the 8th Aerial Port Squadron's unit awards reveals only one detachment awarded a unit award by name, and in that event, the 8th Aerial Port Squadron itself was not given the award. It appears that in the case of the 8th Aerial Port Squadron detachments were included without naming them. With 30 detachments, it is difficult to see how the 8th Aerial Port Squadron could have received an award without the contributions of its detachments, or that none of them were ever indicated as sharing an award. The applicant was assigned to the Operating Location AQ, 8th Aerial Port Squadron, Tay NinH Air Base, Vietnam, from 10 Sep 66 to 13 Apr 68. DPSID were unable to verify award of the PUC and the AFOUA, w/V. The 8th Aerial Port Squadron was awarded the PUC for the inclusive period from 21 Jan 68 to 12 May 68, during the applicant's period of assignment. However, Operating Location AQ, 8th Aerial Port Squadron is not specified as sharing the award. DPSID was also unable to verify award of the AFOUA, w/V. The 8th Aerial Port Squadron was awarded the AFOUA, w/V for the inclusive period from 15 Oct 66 to 30 Apr 67, during the applicant's period of assignment. However Operating Location AQ was not indicated as sharing the award. Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-724 indicated the 8th Aerial Port Squadron shared in the award of the PUC to Headquarters, 834th Air Division. However, there were no operating locations or detachments indicated for the 8th Aerial Port Squadron. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 6 Apr 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 timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. We note that DPSID has deferred their recommendation indicating that they were unable to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the PUC and the AFOUA w/V. Nonetheless, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted. In this respect, we note the evidence of record reflects the applicant was assigned to the Operating Location AQ, 8th APS during the award period in question and his performance reports are indorsed by the 8th APS chain of command; therefore, we are of the opinion the applicant was assigned to the 8th APS and entitled to the requested awards. Additionally, Forward Operating Locations (FOLs) are a part of the parent unit just located in a deployed location. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued 29 Jan 69, Item 24, Decorations, Medal, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized be amended to reflect award of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with Valor (AFOUA, w/V). The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04378 in Executive Session on 2 Jul 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Pertinent Excerpts from Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Mar 15, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Apr 15.