RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-05087
		
 						COUNSEL:  YES

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) (Administratively Corrected), the Air Medal’s Third and Fourth Oak Leaf Clusters (AM w/4BOLC) (Administratively Corrected) and the Bronze Star. 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

He was awarded the DFC and AM w/4BOLC at his last duty station, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, but they were not included on his DD Form 214.  He was also awarded the Bronze Star and is uncertain why he received the award.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 1 Jul 66, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force. 

On 6 Nov 71, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 5 years, 5 months, and 5 days of active service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C, D, and E.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRHA/RS recommends granting the DFC and the AM w/4BOLC.  A review of the applicant’s record reflects he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, via Seventh Air Force Special Order G-0038, dated 5 January 1972 and the Air Medal, Third and Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster, via Seventh Air Force Special Order G-0445, dated 22 February 1972.  RS recommends advising the applicant his DD Form 214 indicates he received two Bronze Service Stars on his Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal rather than receiving two Bronze Star Medals.

A complete copy of the AFHRA/RS evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial of the Bronze Star Medal and believes the applicant is referring to the Bronze Service Stars (BSS) erroneously awarded with the Vietnam Campaign Medal as annotated on his DD Form 214.  The BSS is authorized for the Vietnam Service Medal, not the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Upon final board decision, DP3SP will administratively correct the applicant’s record to reflect the DFC, AM w/4BOLC, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
 
A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit D.

SAFPC/MRBP concurs with AFHRA/RS recommendation to administratively correct the applicant’s record to reflect the DFC, AM w/4BOLC, the Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  

A complete copy of the SAFPC/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force and SAF/MRBP evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 13 Oct 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F).  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.  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 AFRHA/RS, SAFPC/MRBP and AFPC/DP3SP that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice with respect to the Bronze Star Medal.  It appears the applicant is referring to the Bronze Service Stars and as noted by AFPC/DP3SP, the applicant’s Vietnam Service Medal should reflect the Bronze Service Stars (BSS) rather than on the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  We agree with this assessment and note this error will be administratively corrected along with the other administrative corrections noted above.   Therefore, 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-2015-05087 in Executive Session on 11 Apr 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Panel Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-05087 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 Sep 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFHRA/RS, dated 17 Mar 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 1 Sep 16.
Exhibit E.  Memorandum, SAFPC/MRBP, not dated.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 13 Oct 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.