RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-02506
      						COUNSEL: NONE
                 				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

He be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was awarded the BSM after his discharge; however, it was 
never added to his record.  

In support of his appeal the applicant provides a copy of a 
Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) letter.  

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
served on active duty from 12 October 1965 through 28 February 
1969.  His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report 
of Transfer or Discharge, reflects he served 3 year, 4 months, 
and 17 days on active duty of which 11 months and 29 days was 
Foreign Service.  

The remaining relevant facts, extracted from the applicant’s 
military service record, are reflected in the evaluation by the 
Air Force office of primary responsibility at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial.  DPSID states that the BSM is 
awarded to any person who, after 6 December 1941, while serving 
in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, 
distinguished himself/herself by heroic or meritorious 
achievement or service, not involving participating in aerial 
flight, under any of the following circumstances:  while engaged 
in an action against an enemy of the United States, while 
engaged in military operations involving conflict with an 
opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign 
forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed 
force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.  

After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military 
personnel record, they were unable to locate official 
documentation to verify he was recommended for or awarded the 
BSM.  Per a phone conversation with the applicant on 25 June 
2013, he indicated he no longer has the certificate or any other 
documentation that he receive via the mail when he received the 
BSM over 44 years ago.  

However, based on their review of the applicant’s record, they 
have determined his record should be corrected to reflect his 
award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star 
(VSM w/1SSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with 
Palm (RVNGC w/P).  His record will be administratively corrected 
upon the Board’s final decision.  

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 22 October 2013, for review and comment within 30 
days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, this office has received no 
response.

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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.  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 (OPR) 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 AFPC/DPSID has verified the applicant’s entitlement to 
the VSM and RVNGC w/P and that they will correct the applicant’s 
record to reflect these awards upon final Board action.  We 
concur with this action.  However, in the absence of evidence to 
the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the 
applicant’s request for award of the BSM.  

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-02506 in Executive Session on 27 February 2014, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	                       , Panel Chair
	                       , Member
	                       , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection 
with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02506:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 23 Apr 13, w/atch.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Sep 13.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Oct 13. 




								                         
								Panel Chair