RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04621 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 include the award of the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: a. Bronze Star Medal(BSM) (Administratively Corrected) b. Air Medal (AM) with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster c. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) with three Oak Leaf Clusters (Administratively Corrected) d. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross (RVNGC) with Palm (Administratively Corrected) APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214 does not accurately reflect all of his Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons. He served between 26 Feb 63 and 23 May 67 and would like to confirm if he is entitled to the award of the BSM, AM with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, AFOUA with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and RVNGC with Palm. In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214, a personal letter detailing his units of assignment, a copy of a BSM citation and special order, and multiple copies of AF Form 626, Temporary Duty Orders - Military, directing his travel from Bien Hoa, Air Base, Vietnam to Ba Ria, Air Base Vietnam for more than 269 days. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 26 Feb 63. On 23 May 67, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge, and was credited with 4 years, 2 months, and 28 days of active service. The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: - Air Medal - Air Force Outstanding Unit Award - Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon - Vietnam Service Medal - National Defense Service Medal - Air Force Good Conduct Medal - Vietnam Campaign Medal - Air Force Commendation Medal - Air Force Longevity Service Award The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the Air Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster or any other Oak Leaf Clusters. There is no official documentation, such as recommendation or Special Order, in the applicant’s military personnel record to verify he was recommended for or awarded the Air Medal or any additional Oak Leaf Clusters. The AM may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, subsequent to 8 Sep 39, distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight. The AM may be awarded for combat or non-combat action in recognition of single acts of valor, heroism, or merit while participating in aerial flight. Additionally, it may be conferred for sustained meritorious achievement (distinction) in the performance of duties involving aerial flight. Revised policy for award of the AM, 14 Aug 43, Memorandum to Theater Commanders state in order to justify an award of the AM for heroism, the heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action in the face of grade danger above and beyond the line of duty while participating in aerial flight. To warrant an award of the AM for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, the results accomplished must be so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set him apart from his comrades who have not been so recognized. Under the policy stated above, no award of the AM will be made on the basis of hours or missions. In accordance with Headquarters Army Air Forces, dated 21 Jan 45; under the revised policy for award of the AM the so-called “routine or score card” basis of award of the AM was officially prohibited. 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. All assigned or attached people who served with a unit during a period for which a unit award was awarded are authorized the appropriate ribbon if they directly contributed to the mission and accomplishment of the unit. A bronze valor device may be worn on the service ribbon when the award of the AFOUA is made to a unit for combat or direct combat support. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel records they confirmed the 11th Aeromedical Transport Squadron (AMTS) was awarded the AFOUA with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters for the inclusive dates from 8 Nov 58 to 31 Dec 57, from 1 Jan 58 to 31 Dec 63, and from 1 Jun 64 to 7 Jan 67. The applicant was assigned to the 11th AMTS from 9 Sep 63 to 31 May 64 and has the AFOUA currently annotated on his DD Form 214. The applicant’s dates of service with the 11th AMTS makes him ineligible for the other two award periods. They were able to determine the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded: - Bronze Star Medal - Presidential Unit Citation - Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant concurs with most of the Air Force Advisory. His only remaining question relates to the number of devices on the AFOUAs. He believes he may actually be entitled to the AFOUA with Valor and four Oak Leaf Clusters. - He was assigned to the 11th AMTS from 9 Sep 63 through 31 May 65 and this unit was awarded the AFOUA between 1 Jan 58 through 31 Dec 63 and 1 Jan 64 through 7 Jan 67. That should have earned him the basic AFOUA and one Oak Leaf Custer. - He was then assigned to 1405 CMAS and should have earned the 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster. - He was then assigned to the 375 CMAS and should have earned the 3rd Oak Leave Cluster - He was then assigned to the 19th TASS and should have earned a Valor device and a fourth Oak Leaf cluster. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal comments, 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 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 requested relief. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2014-04621 in Executive Session on 25 Aug 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04621 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 10 Feb 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Apr 15. Exhibit E. Applicant’s Letter, dated 10 Apr 15.