RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01642 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His military personnel records be corrected to include the following awards, decorations, training courses, and qualifications and his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected appropriately: 1. National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). 2. Air Medal (AM) (administratively resolved) with two oak leaf clusters (OLC). 3. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) (administratively resolved). 4. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVNCM) (administratively resolved). 5. Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) (administratively resolved). 6. Airborne Radio Directional Finding Specialist Course (administratively resolved). 7. Survival Training (administratively resolved). 8. Pacific Air Force (PACAF) Jungle Survival School (administratively resolved). 9. Intercept Operator Preparatory Course. 10. Morse Intercept Operators Course. 11. M-16 Training and Firing. 12. Designation as Regular Aircrew Member. 13. Inclusion of copies of his “non-rated” Flight Records. 14. Inclusion of Hazardous Duty Code “A.” 15. Special Order MC-19, Instructor Radio Operator. 16. Special Order P-184, SQC “W.” ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: At the time of his discharge, he was not in possession of all of his military records. Consequently, when his DD Form 214 was completed, not all the information was accurately captured, particularly in Section 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, and Section 25, Education and Training Completed. He only recently became aware that he could affect these corrections and now that he is moving into his more senior years, it is important to him that his military record correctly reflects his service. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his award citations and certificates, permanent change of station (PCS) and temporary duty (TDY) orders, training certificates, and aeronautical orders. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s military personnel records, he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 1 Aug 67 for a period of four years and was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (E-4). He served on active duty until he was honorably discharged on 4 Mar 71 and was credited with three years, seven months, and four days of total active service, 2 years, 11 months, and 6 days of which was foreign service. Block 24 of his DD Form 214 indicates he was awarded the NDSM. On 2 Nov 11, AFPC/DPAPP notified the applicant of their determination that he had boots on the ground service in Turkey, Vietnam, and Thailand and that his foreign service, as reflected on his DD Form 214, accurately captured his cumulative foreign service. On 19 Jan 12, AFPC/DPSIT notified the applicant of their determination that he had completed certain training courses and of their action to correct his records administratively to indicate he had completed the PACAF Jungle Survival School, Survival Training, and Airborne Radio Directional Finding Specialist courses. On 25 Jan 12, AFPC/DPSIDR notified the applicant of their determination of his entitlement to the DFC, VSM with three Bronze Service Stars (3BSS), RVCM, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGP w/P), and the AM (basic award). The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends approval of replacement of the missing special order for the AM 1OLC. While they were able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the DFC, VSM w/3 BSS, RVCM, RVNGC w/P, and AM (basic award), there was no special order to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the AM 1OLC. Without said special order, the applicant’s records cannot be updated to reflect he received the AM 2OLC, even though he has provided a copy of the certificate and special order associated with the AM 2 OLC. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOY recommends denial of the applicant’s request to correct his DD Form 214 to reflect he completed weapons training or inclusion of references to his aeronautical orders or hazardous duty. While formal in service training courses which are completed during continuous active military service are appropriate for inclusion in the DD Form 214, ancillary training courses or any courses of less than eight hours are not. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOY evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 24 Feb 12 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (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 error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request for the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) to be reflected on his DD Form 214. After a thorough review of the evidence of record, we are not convinced that corrective action is required. In this respect, we note that Block 24 of his DD Form 214 already reflects his entitlement to the NDSM. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect to his request for the AM (1OLC) and AM (2OLC). We note the comments of the Air Force OPR indicating that while they were able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the AM (basic award) and AM (2OLC), they were only able to administratively correct his records to reflect the AM (basic award) as the applicant did not provide a copy of the special orders related to the AM (1OLC). Nevertheless, we believe a preponderance of the evidence indicates he was awarded the AM (1OLC). In this respect, we note he has provided copies of the award certificate for the AM (1OLC) as well as the award certificate and special orders for the AM (2OLC). In view of this and having no basis to question the applicant’s integrity in this matter, we find it appropriate to correct his records to reflect he was awarded the AM (1OLC) and AM (2OLC). As for the applicant’s remaining requests for awards and decorations, we note that AFPC/DPSIDR has determined the applicant’s DD Form 214 should be administratively corrected to reflect his entitlement to the DFC, VSM w/3BSS, RVCM, RVNGP w/P, and the AM (basic award). We also note that AFPC/DPSIT has determined the applicant’s DD Form 214 should be administratively corrected to reflect he attended PACAF Jungle Survival School, Survival Training, and Airborne Radio Directional Finding Specialist courses. However, AFPC/DPSIT also determined that his DD Form 214 should not be corrected to include information relative to his remaining requests regarding his attendance at various other training courses or certain information pertaining to his professional qualifications (i.e., instructor radio operator, SQC code “W,” Hazardous Duty Code “A,” etc.). While we agree with this determination, we note that the documentation provided by the applicant relative to all of his requests will be included in his master personnel records, which, in our view, constitutes full and fitting relief. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to the extent indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that: a. He was awarded the Air Medal, first oak leaf cluster (OLC), for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period 5 July 1970 through 6 September 1970. b. He was awarded the Air Medal, second OLC, for Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period 7 September 1970 through 23 November 1970. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01642 in Executive Session on 12 Apr 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Apr 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 25 Jan 11. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOY, dated 25 Feb 11. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Feb 11.