RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00476 COUNSEL:
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, block 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, be corrected to reflect the following:

a.	Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) (administratively corrected).

b.	Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).
c.	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P)
(administratively corrected).
d.	Combat Service Medal [sic].
e.	Overseas Service Medal [sic].
f.	Cold War Victory Medal [sic].
g.	TET Campaign Medal [sic].
h.	Honorable Service Medal [sic].

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He has no idea why the medals are missing from his records.
The	applicant’s	complete	submission,	with	attachments,	is	at Exhibit A.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 19 Jul 66.
The applicant was assigned to Detachment 1 (Det 1), 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, from
25 Apr 68 to 20 Mar 69.
On 17 Jul 70, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with four years, one month, and five days of active service. He was credited with 1 year, 5 months and 15 days of Foreign Service.

The Cold War Victory Medal, Combat Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal and the Honorable Service Medals are commemorative medals. These medals are primarily celebratory display medals rather than official awards or decorations of the Air Force and Department of Defense (DoD).

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to be awarded the Combat Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, and the Honorable Service Medal indicating he appears to be requesting award of the Combat Service Commemorative Medal, Overseas Service Commemorative Medal, and the Honorable Service Commemorative Medal. Commemorative medals cannot be updated to the applicant’s DD Form 214, as they are not official Air Force or DoD awards or decorations; however, the applicant may obtain them from a commercial source. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by the DoDM 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF), the Chief of Staff (CSAF), and/or the War Department.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the PUC indicating they were able to verify the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron received award of the PUC during the period
1 Sep 67 to 10 Jul 68; however, they were unable to verify Detachment 1 shared in the award of the PUC. In addition, they were unable to locate any official documentation verifying any units the applicant was assigned to received award of the PUC while he was assigned to the unit.

The PUC 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.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial of the applicants request for award of	the	Cold	War		Victory		medal,	indicating	he	appears	to		be requesting	award	of		the	Cold	War		certificate.		The	Cold	War certificate is controlled by	the Department of the Army.		The applicant		may			order			his		certificate		online			at  https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Awards%20and%20Decorations%20Branc  h%20-%20Cold%20War%20Certificate%20Progrm.	The applicant may also write to the following address:

Commander, USAHRC
ATTN:	AHRC-PDP-A, Dept. 480
1600 Spearhead Division Avenue Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408 (502) 613-9126

Based on a review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, DP3SP was able to determine the applicant should have been awarded the AFGCM and the RVNGC w/P during his service from
19 Jul 66 to 17 Jul 70. Upon final Board decision, AFPC/DP2STM will administratively correct the applicant’s records.

A copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 25 Jul 16, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
By email dated 4 May 17, the Board staff requested AFPC/DP3SP provide an additional advisory regarding the applicant’s request for award of the TET Campaign Medal (Exhibit E).

By memorandum dated 11 May 17, AFPC/DP3SP advised the Board staff that the TET Campaign Medal is not an Air Force award or decoration and  believes  the  applicant  is  referring  to  the  TET
69 Counteroffensive Campaign during the Vietnam Conflict. However, after a subsequent review of the applicant’s case, he should have received four Bronze Service Stars to his previously awarded  Vietnam  Service  Medal,  one  being  for  the  TET
69 Counteroffensive Campaign from 23 Feb 69 to 8 Jun 69 based on his service time in Vietnam from 25 Apr 68 to 22 Apr 69. Upon final Board decision, DP2STM will administratively correct the applicant’s record.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit F.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
As required by 10 U.S.C. 1556(a), on 31 May 17, a summary of the communication made by AFPC/DP3SP to the Board was provided to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G). As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD:
Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a careful review of the applicant's contentions, documentation submitted in support of the request, and the available evidence of record, we are not convinced the applicant has provided sufficient evidence for us to conclude that he is the victim of an error or injustice. We also note the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-2603. While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years prior to receipt of the application, we believe a reasonable date of discovery was more than three years prior to receipt of the application. Therefore, because we do not find it in the interest of justice to recommend granting relief and the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application, other than the administrative corrections noted above, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file the application. Accordingly, we find the application untimely.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness. It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00476 in Executive Session on 13 Jul 17, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair Member
ber

The following documentary	evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00476 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 25 Jan 16, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Excerpts from Applicant’s Master Personnel
Records.
Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP dated 25 Jul 16. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Oct 16 Exhibit E.	Email, AFBCMR, dated 4 May 17.
Exhibit F.	Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 11 May 17, w/atch. Exhibit G.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 May 17.

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.

1/9/2018	
X Deborah F. Davidson	
DEBORAH F. DAVIDSON
Chief Examiner, AFBCMR
Signed by: DAVIDSON.DEBORAH.F.1024387417