RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02771 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). 2. He be awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V). ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He flew 10 night combat missions out of Guam during the Vietnam War in hostile territories from 1962 to 1963. A letter from a fellow airman was submitted previously in support of his request. He was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for his service, but did not receive the RVCM. In support of his request, applicant provides two personal statements. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 14 June 1963. He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman second class (A2C/E-3), having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 12 April 1960. He served on active duty for 3 years, 9 months, and 14 days as a Ground Equipment Repairman. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial for both awards in two separate advisories. DPSIDR states the applicant requested award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and the RVCM in Aug 07; however, due to a clerical error DPSIDR erroneously awarded the applicant the AFOUA. After further research it was apparent the AFOUA should not have been awarded; in addition to the AFOUA, the AFEM was erroneously granted; both awards were deleted from his records. Furthermore, DPSIDR states they are unable to verify the applicant being assigned to a unit in which the AFOUA w/V was awarded; therefore, they do not support his request for this award. DPSIDR also recommends denial of the RVCM as the applicant did not serve in the area of eligibility (AOE) for six months, as required. The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C and F. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reviewed the DPSIDR evaluation dated 24 Jul 09 and responded by stating he disagrees with their recommendation. The applicant flew missions out of Guam from 1962 to 1963. He did not know where the missions were flying to; however, when asked he was told they were secret flights. He knows he flew to Yokohoma, Yakota and Okinawa, Japan, and is certain he visited Vietnam. There were no log books that would have recorded the visits; however, he remembers these missions or sorties taking place. Another person that was stationed at Guam during 1962- 1963 corroborates the applicant’s story; he states the applicant did not talk much about the flights since they were top secret, but he knew the applicant went on several flights during the early stages of the Vietnam War. In support of his request, applicant provides a personal statement and a letter of support. His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ _ 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. After a thorough review of the available evidence and applicant’s complete submission, we find no evidence the applicant’s records should be corrected to show he was awarded the RVCM or AFOUA w/V. As such, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that 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-2005-02771 in Executive Session 12 Nov 09, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Forms 149, dated 6 Feb 09 and 5 Sep 08, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 24 Jul 09. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Aug 09. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, not dated. Exhibit F. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 11 Sep 09. Exhibit G. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Oct 09. XXXXXXXXXXXXX Panel Chair