RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02849 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 the following awards and decorations: 1. Air Medal (AM) with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (2/BOLCs). 2. Other AM’s awarded to him. 3. Aircrew Wing and Combat Crew Badge. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was awarded the AM with 2/BOLCs while assigned to the 6988th Security Squadron. He was also awarded other AM clusters but did not receive them prior to his release from active duty. He wore aircrew member wings and the combat crew badge but they are not reflected on his DD Form 214. The medals and badges were awarded to him and should appear on his DD Form 214. In support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, award certificate, citation and special orders. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 28 Dec 1964, the applicant entered active duty. The applicant’s records show he was assigned to the 6988th Security Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, from Jun 1966 to Nov 1967. On 11 Oct 1968, he was honorably discharged. He served three years, ten months and three days on active duty. The AM may be awarded to any person who while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, subsequent to 8 Sep 1939, distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Additionally, it may be conferred for sustained meritorious achievement (distinction) in the performance of duties involving aerial flight. The Aircrew Badge, commonly known as Wings, is a qualification badge of the United States military that is awarded by all branches of the armed services to personnel who serve as crew members on military aircrafts. The badge is intended to recognize the training and qualifications required by aircrew of military aircraft. In order to qualify as an aircrew member and receive the Aircrew Badge, such personnel typically undergo advanced training in aircraft in-flight support roles. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends approval for award of the AM with 2/BOLCs as the signed certificate and citation appear to be authentic. Should the Board grant the applicant’s request for the AM with 2/BOLCs, DPSID will update the award on the applicant’s DD Form 214. DPSID recommends disapproval for award of any additional AMs. Insufficient evidence has been provided to support that an injustice occurred. There is no official documentation in the applicant’s record to verify he was recommended for or awarded any additional AMs. The applicant has not provided proposed citations, a recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge, or any eye witness statements to help support his claim. Furthermore, over 45 years have passed since the applicant contends the awards should have been made. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by the Department of Defense (DOD) Manual 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards. A review of the applicant’s master personnel records show he is entitled to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1BOLC), Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). Upon the Board’s final determination, DPSID will administratively correct the applicant’s records to reflect these awards. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. USAF/A3O-AIF recommends approval of the applicant’s request for the Basic Aircrew Member Badge (Wings). The supporting documents provided by the applicant substantiate he was an aircrew member and met the requirements for the permanent award of the Basic Aircrew Member Badge (Wings). The complete A3O-AIF evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 29 Oct 2013, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant 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. Notwithstanding the above, insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice for award of any additional AM’s beyond the aforementioned. In this respect, we agree with 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. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we do not recommend approving this portion of the applicant’s request. 4. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant partial relief. After a thorough review of the applicant’s submission and his service records, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force OPRs that the supporting documents provided by the applicant substantiate award of the AM with 2/BOLCs and the Basic Aircrew Member Badge (Wings). Although the applicant requests award of the aircrew wings and the combat crew badge, the correct award to denote qualification as an aircrew member is the Aircrew Member Badge. We also note that DPSID has verified the applicant’s entitlement to the AFOUA w/V & 1BOLC, VSM w/1BSS and the RVNGC w/P and his DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected to reflect these awards. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 11 Oct 1968 separation, be amended in Item 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Air Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and the Basic Aircrew Member Badge. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2013-02849 in Executive Session on 15 Apr 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documents were considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Jun 2013, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 23 Aug 2013, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, USAF/A3O-AIF, dated 3 Oct 2013. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Oct 2013. 1 2