RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04527 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) be added to his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge. 2. He be entitled to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V) – administratively corrected. 3. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) be added to his DD Form 214. 4. He be entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars (VSM w/4 BSS) – administratively corrected to reflect VSM w/1 Silver Service Star. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 1. The awards and decorations should address the PUC (5 Mar 68 – 31 Jan 69); AFOUA w/V DAFSO GB-787-69; the BSS’s for the following campaigns – Air Offensive Phase 2 67-68, Vietnam Air Ground 68, Air Offensive Phases 3 and 4 during 68-69, and the RVNGC w/P during 16 Dec 66 – 28 Jan 73. 2. He received an e-mail in September 2011 from a member of the Vietnam Security Police Association letting him know that he may be eligible for the awards mentioned in the e-mail. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, a copy of his DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214), and excerpts from his personnel records. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 17 Nov 65 and was honorably discharged on 19 Mar 69 after serving 3 years, 4 months, and 3 days on active duty. The PUC criteria: Executive Order 9075 on 26 Feb 42, created this award and was superseded by Executive Order 9396 on 2 Dec 43, which authorized the Distinguished Unit Citation, and this executive order was superseded by Executive Order 10694, on 10 Jan 57 which redesignated the Distinguished Unit Citation as the Presidential Unit Citation. It is conferred on units of the armed forces of the United States and of cobelligerent nations, for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 Dec 41. The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. The RVNGC criteria: The ribbon is awarded by the Republic of Vietnam to certain units of the U.S. Armed Forces for valorous combat achievement during the Vietnam War, 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1973. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. The applicant’s records revealed he earned the AFOUA w/V and the VSM w/1 SSS; however, DPSIDR was unable to verify that his unit received either the PUC or the RVNCG w/P during his tour of duty. The complete DPSOS 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 7 Mar 12 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 error or injustice. In this respect, we note the Air Force office of primary responsibility has agreed to administratively correct the applicant’s record to reflect award of the VSM with one Bronze Service Star and the AFOUA w/V. We concur with the Air Force’s recommended actions. However, with regard to the PUC we do not find he has provided any documentary evidence to substantiate his claim his unit was awarded the PUC; 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 relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, 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-2011-04527 in Executive Session on 8 May 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Sep 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 17 Feb 12. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Mar 12.