RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04002 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 show entitlement to the following medals: 1. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1 OLC). 2. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). (Entitlement verified – will be administratively corrected) _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The applicant asserts that other members of his units received the AFOUA w/V &1OLC and the RVNGC w/P and two Bronze Service Stars, while serving in Vietnam. The units he refers to are the 509th Bomb Wing (509th BW), the 509th Combat Support Squadron (509th CSS), and the 1131st Special Activity Squadron (1131st SAS). A letter from the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) to a member of his unit clearly states the AFOUA w/2 V’s is authorized because “all” detachments to this unit share in squadron awards. 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, a letter from the AFHRA, email correspondence, an Excerpt from Air Force Pamphlet 900-2, Volume II, Unit Decorations, Awards, and Campaign Participation Credits, Special Order GR-345, dated 14 May 75, a History of the 509th Bomb Wing factsheet, and Airman Performance Report. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force from 17 Nov 65 to 16 Nov 69, at which time he was honorably released from active duty. He served on active duty for 9 years, 11 months, and 6 days, of which one 6 months, and 1 day was Foreign Service. While assigned to the 509th CSS, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, the applicant was deployed to the 1131st SAS, Detachment 11, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, from 9 Apr 69 to 21 Sep 69. AFPC/DPSIDR verified the applicant’s entitlement to the RVNGC w/P, and an additional Bronze Service Star (BSS) to his Vietnam Service Medal. His DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected to include these awards. The AFOUA is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. When the AFOUA is awarded to a unit for combat or direct combat support, the Valor device may be worn on the service ribbon. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends partial relief by correcting the applicant’s records to reflect the RVNGC w/P. DPSIDRA recommends disapproval of the applicant’s request for entitlement to the AFOUA w/V & 1 OLC. DPSIDR states according to AFP 900-2, Volumes I-IV, they were able to confirm the 509th BW, Headquarters, received award of the AFOUA with award inclusive dates of 1 Apr 68 to 1 Oct 68. However, according to the applicant’s performance report, he was assigned to the 509th BW from 1 May 67 to 4 Sep 67. DPSIDR confirmed the 509th Combat Support Group (509th CSG) received the AFOUA with award inclusive dates of 1 Jul 73 to 30 Jun 74, and 1 Jul 77 to 30 Jun 79. However, according to the applicant’s performance report he was assigned to the 509th CSS from 4 Sep 67 to 21 Sep 69, with the exception of his aforementioned deployment to Vietnam. DPSIDR has confirmed the following detachments of the 1131st SAS received award of the AFOUA with the corresponding dates listed. Detachment 8 received the AFOUA with award inclusive dates of 1 Jul 68 to 31 Oct 69. Detachment 10 received the AFOUA w/V with award inclusive dates of 1 Jul 67 to 30 Jun 69, and 1 Jul 69 to 31 Dec 70. The applicant was assigned to the 1131st SAS, Detachment 11, from 9 Apr 69 to 21 Sep 69; therefore, he is not eligible for entitlement to the AFOUA and the AFOUA w/V as he was not assigned to Detachments (8 & 10) during the qualifying award inclusive periods. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 16 Dec 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received (Exhibit C). _________________________________________________________________ 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 regards to applicant’s request for award of the AFOUA w/V & 1 OLC. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, 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. We note the Air Force office of primary responsibility has verified the applicant’s entitlement to the RVNGC w/P and the applicant’s DD Form 214 will be updated to reflect this medal. Therefore, aside from the aforementioned administrative correction, we find no basis to recommend further relief in this case. _________________________________________________________________ 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 Docket Number BC-2011-04002 in Executive Session on 20 Mar 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-2011-04002 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 5 Oct 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 15 Nov 11. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Dec 11.