RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBERS: BC-2010-02345 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect: 1. Award of the Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster (PUC w/1OLC). (Award of basic PUC administratively corrected – OPR recommends denial of PUC w/1OLC) 2. Award of the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P). (Administratively corrected) 3. Award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3BSS). (Administratively corrected) 4. Completion of Aircraft Mechanics School 0-1 and 0-2 (Administratively corrected). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Internet research shows the requested decorations were awarded during the time he was in Vietnam. In addition, he has a certificate to show completion of the Aircraft Mechanics School 0-1 and 0-2. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214; Air Force Form 7, Airman Military Record; Certificate of Training; and Internet excerpts on the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron (20th TASS). The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force, who served on active duty from 27 May 1966 to 25 February 1969 for a total of 2 years, 8 months, and 29 days. He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class with a date of rank of 1 May 1967. His DD Form 214 reflects he served 11 months and 28 days of Foreign Service. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the PUC w/1OLC. DPSIDRA states the applicant is requesting entitlement to the PUC w/1OLC for his service in Vietnam with the 20th TASS with the following inclusive periods: 1 July 1966 to 15 August 1967 and 1 August 1968 to 31 August 1969. After a thorough review of Air Force Pamphlet 900-2, Volumes I-IV, they were able to verify the 20th TASS was awarded the PUC during the following inclusive periods: 1 July 1966 to 15 August 1967 and 1 August 1968 to 31 August 1969 as stated by the applicant. However, the applicant is ineligible for entitlement of the PUC w/1OLC as he was not assigned to the 20th TASS during the inclusive period of 1 August 1968 to 31 August 1969. According to documentation located in the applicant’s official military personnel records, he served with the 20th TASS from 13 June 1967 to 10 June 1968. DPSIDRA indicates they were able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the PUC, the VSM w/3BSS, and the RVGC w/P, and that his records will be updated by the appropriate office. The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He would like his name engraved on the back of each of his medals as if they were presented to him while he was in the service. If the Air Force cannot do the engraving, he requests a letter of authorization stating he can have the engraving done. The applicant’s complete response 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 an injustice regarding the applicant’s request for award of the PUC w/1OLC. We note the applicant’s records have been administratively corrected to reflect his award of the PUC (basic), RVNGC w/P, VSM w/3BSS, and his completion of Aircraft Mechanics School 0-1 and 0-2. After a thorough review of the available records, we found no evidence that the applicant is entitled to the PUC w/1OLC. 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 sustained his burden of showing that not being awarded the PUC w/1OLC makes him the victim of error or injustice. In addition, we note the applicant’s request to have the medals, which have been determined he is entitled to, engraved on the back with his name, or as an alternative, provide authorization for him to have the medals engraved. However, this Board lacks the authority to approve this request. Accordingly, we find no basis to recommend any relief beyond that granted administratively by the Air Force Office of Primary Responsibility. _________________________________________________________________ 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-2010-02345 in Executive Session on 24 March 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-02345: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 Jun 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 2 Aug 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Sep 10. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 4 Oct 10.