RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00266 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The following Medals and or Ribbons be added to his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge: Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM); Administratively corrected Vietnam Service Medal (VSM); Administratively corrected Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P); Administratively corrected Vietnam Defense Medal (VDM); Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR); Presidential Unit Citation (PUC); and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1BOLC). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: None of the awards or ribbons is listed on his DD Form 214 and they should be because it appears like he did not do anything. Several of his fellow airmen have already received similar awards or ribbons and so should he. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 12 Aug 63, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. According to the AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, his estimated date of arrival in Vietnam was approximately 6 Jan 66. According to Block 10, Awards, he was awarded the VSM. On 4 Jan 67, the applicant was released from active duty, due to completion of required active service, and transferred to the Air Force Reserve to complete his military service obligation. He was credited with 3 years, 4 months and 23 days of active service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the AFOUA w/1BOLC, SAEMR, PUC and Vietnam Defense Commemorative Medal. While DPSID was able to verify award of the AFOUA with Valor for the applicant’s service with his Air Police Squadron, they were unable to verify the applicant served with any other units that received award of the AFOUA while he was assigned to the unit. DPSID was unable to locate official documentation such as a Special Order or Air Force Form 522 verifying the applicant qualified as a small arms expert with either the issue hand gun or M-16. DPSID was unable to locate official documentation verifying the applicant served with a unit that received award of the PUC while the applicant was assigned to the unit. The VDM is a commemorative award and is not an official award or decoration of the United States Air Force (USAF) or Department of Defense (DoD). To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF), the Chief of Staff and/or the War Department. The AFOUA was established and awarded in the name of SecAF on 6 Jan 54. It is awarded by the SecAF to numbered units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. The services include; performance of exceptionally meritorious service, 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 AFOUA is made to a unit for combat or direct combat support. The SAEMR was authorized by the SecAF on 28 Aug 62 and 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 bronze service star worn on the service ribbon. The PUC is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of United States Armed Forces 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. Based on review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, DPSID was able to determine the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 12 Aug 63 to 4 Jan 67 and were not reflected in his record. Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR: *Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V) *Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3BSS) *Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) *Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) 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 9 Sep 15 for review and comment within 30 days. The applicant responded on 15 Sep 15, stating he was assigned to an Air Police Squadron for a little over a month before it transitioned to become a Security Police Squadron (SPS). While a member of the SPS, his duties included armed convoy escorts as well as first line defense against base perimeter, ammo dumps, flight line, and outlet post intrusions. Together with another unit, they executed joint seek and destroy patrols and the other unit was awarded the Combat Defense Medal while his unit received nothing. He was also assigned to a Combat Defense Squadron and a Base Police Squadron while stationed in the United States. It is during this timeframe that he had to qualify as an expert marksman with the 30 caliber carbine and the 38 caliber revolver on a quarterly basis. In addition, he qualified as an expert marksman with the M-16 rifle before traveling to Vietnam. 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 AFOUA w/V and 1BOLC, SAEMR, PUC and Vietnam Defense Commemorative Medal. 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 OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the AFOUA w/V, VSM w/3BSS, VCM and the RVGNC w/P and will correct his records administratively. 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. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00266 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Jan 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 10 Aug 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Sep 15.