RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS. IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00676 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: a. His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, Item 5c, Grade, Rate or Rank, be corrected to reflect SrA. b. His DD Form 214, be corrected to include the award of the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: (1). Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation. (2). Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/ P). Already awarded and reflected on his DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, dated 22 Aug 11. (3). Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA). (4). Any other eligible Air Force Medals and or Ribbons. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Based on the amount of time that has elapsed since his service, he would like to ensure his DD Form 214 accurately captures his service. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 31 Jul 63, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. On 21 Jul 67, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 21 days of active service. His DD Form 214, reflects the Grade, Rate or Rank of A1C, paygrade of E-4, and the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: - Small Armed Expert Marksmanship Ribbon - Air Force Outstanding Unit Award - National Defense Service Medal - Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Air Force Good Conduct Medal The applicant’s DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, reflects the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOE recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. They also note the request is untimely. The applicant failed to provide an explanation as to why he believes his rank is incorrect, nor does he provide any documentation in support of his request, they provide the following information for the Board’s review. When the applicant entered active duty on 31 Jul 63, the Air Force rank structure for the first four grades was as follows: E-1 - Airman Basic (AB) E-2 - Airman Third Class (A3C) E-3 - Airman Second Class (A2C) E-4 - Airman First Class (A1C) On 1 Jun 76, approximately 9 years after the applicant separated, E-4 was designated as both SrA and Sgt. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOE evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval of the AFLSA. The applicant only served 3 years, 11 months and 21 days, which is shy of the 4 year eligibility criteria. They also recommend disapproval of the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation. The applicant’s dates of service were after the awards inclusive date of Aug through Sep 54. The Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation is for humanitarian assistance given during Aug 54 to Sep 54 in evacuation of civilian from North and Central Vietnam. The RVNGC with Palm was awarded by the Republic of Vietnam by certain units of the Armed Forces of the United States for valorous combat achievement during the Vietnam Conflict, inclusive from 1 Mar 61 to 28 Mar 73. There are no authorized devices. The AFLSA was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 25 Nov 47 and is awarded to all service members of the United States Air Force who complete 4 years of honorable active or reserve military service. Subsequent periods of military service shall be noted by an Oak Leaf Cluster worn on the service ribbon. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were able to verify award of the RVNGC w/ P as seen currently annotated on his DD Form 215, dated 11 Aug 11. During that same review, they were unable to verify award of the AFLSA or the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation. The applicant failed to meet the eligibility criteria for either of these awards. They were able to determine the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded: - Presidential Unit Citation - Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In response to the Air Force Advisories, the applicant states he was ordered to return CONUS from Vietnam to be processed for discharge. He initially volunteered to serve four years, as shown on his enlistment documents and argues that the 10 days short of four years criteria should be waived in this case. A complete copy of the applicant’s letter, with attachments is at Exhibit F. 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. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 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 members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00676 in Executive Session on 9 Dec 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00676 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 Feb 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOE, dated 23 Apr 15. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 Sept 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Oct 15. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 7 Nov 15.