RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02573

							COUNSEL: NONE

											  HEARING:NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, reflect “combat missions in Vietnam”.

He be awarded the following awards:

Air Medal (AM) with three oak leaf clusters (OLC) (administratively corrected)

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He did not adequately review his DD Form 214 upon his discharge, did not check it for accuracy, and was not familiar with medal abbreviations.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 9 Jul 71, the applicant was separated from the Air Force as a sergeant.  

On 7 Nov 16, AFPC DP3AM informed the applicant they were able to verify his boots-on-ground service at Pleiku AB, Vietnam, from 22 Dec 69 to 22 Dec 70, and the foreign service listed on his DD Form 214 is correct.  Since specific locations are not listed on the DD Form 214, the applicant was instructed to use the letter as proof of his boots-on-ground in Vietnam.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisories at Exhibits D and E.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFHRA recommends denying the application.  There is no evidence a DFC award package was submitted by the commander.  Guidance reflects no decoration will be awarded when entire service was not honorable, and the applicant received an Article 15 for the period of service.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP1SSP recommends denying award of the DFC.  There is no evidence the applicant was submitted for the DFC.  

AFPC/DP1SSP was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons:  AM with 3 OLC, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  Upon final Board decision, AFPC/DP2STM will administratively correct the applicant’s personnel record to reflect these awards.

The complete advisory is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 18 Dec 17 for comment (Exhibit E), but has received no response. 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFHRA and AFPC/DP1SSP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions beyond that rendered administratively.  With regard to the applicant’s request that his DD Form 214 reflect combat missions in Vietnam, we note the OPR has provided a boots-on-ground letter as proof of Vietnam service.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records, beyond that rendered administratively.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:  

The applicant be informed that the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the board.

CERTIFICATION:  

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5., considered Docket Number BC-2016-02573 in Executive Session on 1 May 18:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following regarding AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02573:

Exhibit A:  Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 13 May 16.
Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:  Advisory Opinion, AFHRA, dated 10 Nov 16.
Exhibit D:  Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP1SSP, dated 12 Dec 16
Exhibit E:  Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 18 Dec 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.