RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-03462 

 INDEX CODE 107.00 

 COUNSEL: None 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: No 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect the Humanitarian Service 
Medal (HSM) and the Air Medal with 23 Oak Leaf Clusters. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214 was not up to date when he retired from the Air 
Force. 

 

In support of his application, the applicant provides a personal 
letter and a copy of Special Order SO-16. 

 

Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit 
A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant retired from the Air Force in the grade of master 
sergeant on 31 May 1978 after serving 26 years, 1 month and 27 
days of total active service. 

 

On 12 October 2006, AFPC/DPPPRA corrected the applicant's records 
to reflect award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, First Oak 
Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, Air Force 
Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Good Conduct 
Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Medal, Fifth Oak Leaf 
Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign 
Medal. 

 

On 22 October 2008, AFPC/DPSIDRA corrected the applicant's DD 
Form 214 to read Air Medal with 23 Oak Leaf Clusters, the award 
of the Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit 
Award with Valor, with first Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the 
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 



AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial and states after a complete review 
of the applicant's official military record and the provided 
documentation, they were unable to verify his entitlement to the 
HSM. There is no documentation in his military personnel record 
stating his involvement in both the Operation Frequent Wind and 
Operation Eagle Pull campaigns. 

 

AFPC/DPPPR's complete evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit 
C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 7 November 2008 for review and comment within 30 
days. As of this date, this office has received no response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 with regard to 
establishing his eligibility for award of the HSM. We note the 
administrative corrections already made to the applicant’s 
records, but after a thorough review of the available evidence 
and applicant’s submission, we are not persuaded that his 
remaining request for award of the HSM should be granted. His 
contentions are duly noted; however, he has not provided 
persuasive evidence to warrant further relief. We therefore agree 
with the recommendation of the Air Force office of primary 
responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our 
decision that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of 
having suffered either an error or an injustice. Absent 
persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis 
to recommend granting the applicant’s request for award of the 
HSM. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of probable 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 Docket Number BC-
2008-03462 in Executive Session on 9 December 2008, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

  Panel Chair 

  Member 

  Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Sep 08, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 29 Oct 08, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Nov 08.