RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-04714

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUESTS.  

1.  The following corrections be made to his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge

a. Correct the spelling in Block 10b, Major Course or Field (Administratively corrected)

b. Add the following awards to Block 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized):

	(1) The Air Force Commendation Medal (No action required)
	(2) The Distinguished Flying Cross (Administratively corrected)
	(3) The Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster (Administratively corrected) 
	(4) The Combat Readiness Medal (Administratively corrected) 
	(5) The National Defense Service Medal (Administratively corrected) 
	(6) The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster (Administratively corrected)
	(7) The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Administratively corrected) 
	(8) The Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars in lieu of his previously awarded Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
	(9) The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

APPLICANT’S CONTENTION:   Some decorations were presented after separation from active duty; therefore, his DD Form 214 is incomplete.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:  The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 12 October 1959 to 10 December 1965, and was credited with 4 years and 4 days of foreign service.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:  AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying award of the Vietnam Service Medal second Bronze Service Star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal because the applicant does not meet the Department of Defense or Air Force award criteria.

AFPC/DP3SP was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  In addition, the applicant previously elected to receive the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; therefore, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal will be removed from his DD Form 214.  Upon final Board decision, AFPC/DP2STM will administratively correct the applicant’s official military personnel record.  The complete advisory, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 31 Jan 18 for comment (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was not 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, apart from the errors already noted for administrative correction, the applicant is not the victim of a further error or injustice.  The Board concurs with AFPC/DP3SP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions regarding the second Bronze Service Star for his Vietnam Service Medal or the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  Therefore, the Board recommends against adding those to the applicant’s record.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:  The applicant be informed 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-04714 in Executive Session on 29 Mar 18:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A: Applicant’s application, DD Form 149, dated 21 Nov 16, w/atchs.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 22 Jan 18.
Exhibit D: Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 31 Jan 18.

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