RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04566 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be entitled to the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA). (Administratively Corrected) 2. He be entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 3. He be entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). 4. He be entitled to the Air Force Overseas Ribbon (AFOR) - Long Tour. 5. He be entitled to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V). 6. He be entitled to the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, only displays two awards and he is entitled to more. The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider his untimely application because during a reunion he recently attended, he was told by former military members that he should have been awarded the aforementioned awards. In support of his request the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of his DD Form 214, DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214 and NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 15 May 1972 to 14 May 1976. His DD Form 214 reflects one year of Foreign and/or Sea Service. The VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam. To be eligible, a Service member must: Be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations. Be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations. Have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations. Have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations The RVNGC w/P 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. The Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Long Tour was authorized by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force on 12 October 1980. Before 6 January 1986, the ribbon was awarded to Air Force and Air Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 September 1980. Air Force and Air Force Reserve members serving as of 6 January 1986 or later are entitled to reflect all Air Force overseas tours credited during their career. A service member may wear both ribbons, if appropriate. The short tour ribbon takes precedence over the long-tour ribbon when both are worn. The AFOUA w/V is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. The criteria includes; performance of exceptionally meritorious service, accomplishment of a specific outstanding achievement of national or international significance, combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, or military operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force. A bronze "V" device is worn on the ribbon to denote award for combat or direct combat support actions. The PUC 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 December 1941. 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 that which would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s requests for entitlement to the VSM, RVNGC w/P, Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long Tour, AFOUA w/V and the PUC. After a thorough review of the applicant’s master personnel records, the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements for the aforementioned awards. Notwithstanding the above, DPSID was able to verify the applicant's entitlement to the AFSLA and the AFOUA. Upon the final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOY. The complete DPSID evaluation with attachment, is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 21 March 2014, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 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 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 this application in Executive Session on 29 July 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC- 2013-04566: Exhibit A. DD Forms 149, dated 20 September 2013, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 28 February 2014, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 March 2014.