RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02307 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His record be corrected to show that he was awarded: 

 

a. The Purple Heart (PH). 


 

 b. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA 
w/V). 

 

c. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC 
w/P). (Administratively corrected). 


 

d. The Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars 
(VSM w/2 BSS). (Administratively corrected to reflect w/4 BSS). 


 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

Based upon the Air Force Historical website, he is entitled to 
these awards. In regards to the PH, he was treated at the base 
hospital for injuries he received on 3 March and 27 July 1967, 
which entitles him to this award. He also served on temporary 
duty (TDY) in Udorn Thailand in 1966 for which he should receive 
a second service star for the VSM. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer 
or Discharge and extracts of his medical records. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Air Force on 19 October 1964. He 
was honorably discharged on 20 August 1968 in the grade of 
sergeant. He served 3 years 10 months and 2 days of total active 
service. 

 

The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy 
actions, (i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat 
wounds, forced aircraft bailout injuries, etc.). In addition, it 


is necessary the wound required or received treatment by medical 
personnel. Indirect injuries do not meet the criteria for award 
of the PH. These include, but are not limited to, injuries 
received while seeking shelter from mortar or rocket attacks, 
aircraft bombings, grenades, and injuries incurred while serving 
as an aircrew member or in a passenger status because of the 
aircraft’s evasive measures against hostile fire. 

 

The Secretary of the Air Force awards the AFOUA to numbered units 
that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious 
service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit 
above and apart from similar units. The services include: 
performance of exceptionally meritorious service, accomplishment 
of a specific outstanding achievement of national or 
international significance, combat operations against an armed 
enemy of the United States, or military operations involving 
conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing 
foreign force. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the 633rd Police 
Squadron received the AFOUA w/V for the period of 1 May 1966 to 
30 April 1967; however, the applicant was assigned to the unit 
after the inclusive period for the award. 

 

DPSIDR states the applicant’s medical documentation dated 3 May 
1968, indicates he suffered from severe headaches because of a 
blow to the head in an automobile accident in 1966 and a fall 
from a truck in 1977. Multiple documents were located within the 
applicant’s record to reflect the applicant injuries and wounds 
were not caused from enemy action or an attack. 

 

The complete DPSIDR 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 11 February 2011 for review and comment within 30 days. To 
date, a response has not been received (Exhibit F). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 error or injustice. After a 
thorough review of the available evidence and the applicant’s 
complete submission, we find no evidence which would lead us to 
believe the applicant is entitled to the award of the PH and 
AFOUA. Therefore, 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 that the applicant has 
not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the 
applicant’s records will be administratively corrected to reflect 
award of the RVNGC w/P and VSM w/4 BSS. In the absence of 
evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting 
the relief sought in this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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-2010-02307 in Executive Session on 9 March 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 June 2010, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 11 Jan 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Feb 11.