RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04682 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be updated with the following decorations: Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM); Administratively corrected Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (PUC w/1BOLC); Administratively corrected Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA); Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star (SAEMR w/1BSS) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (RVNCG w/P); and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm (RVNGCUC w/P). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was assigned to the XXX Training Reconnaissance Wing when the Wing was awarded the PUC on two occasions from Sep 67 to Nov 68 and from Nov 68 to Oct 69. He provides a copy of his most recent DD Form 214 and believes the RVNCG w/P, RVNGCUC w/P, AFCM, AFGCM, AFLSA and SAEMR w/1BSS should also be reflected. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 3 Mar 66, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. According to the AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, he had foreign-service in Thailand from 25 Aug 68 to 19 Aug 69. On 28 Aug 69, by Special Order G-570, he was awarded the AFCM for meritorious service from 25 Aug 68 to 18 Aug 69. According to the DD Form 214, issued in conjunction with the applicant’s 19 Dec 69 release from active duty, he was awarded the AFGCM. On 19 Dec 69, applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve to complete his remaining service obligation. He was credited with 3 years, 9 months and 27 days of active service including 11 months and 25 days of foreign and/or sea service. 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 for the Air Force Longevity Service Award because the applicant’s three years, nine months and 27 days do not meet the four year requirement for the award. DPSID was unable to locate official documentation to verify the applicant qualified as expert with the M-16 rifle and/or issue handgun therefore, they recommend denial for the SAEMR w/1BSS. They recommend disapproval for award of the RVNCG w/P as they were not able to locate official documentation nor did the applicant provide verification of the award. While similar in name to the RVNGC w/P, which DPSID verified the applicant qualifies for, the RVNCG w/P is not an award of the United States Air Force or Department of Defense, nor is it a foreign award accepted by the United States Air Force or Department of Defense such as the RVNGC w/P. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF), the Chief of Staff, and or the War Department. The AFLSA was authorized by the SecAF on 25 Nov 47 and is awarded to all service members of the United States Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service. Subsequent periods of military service shall be denoted by an Oak Leaf Cluster worn on the service ribbon. The SAEMR was authorized by the SecAF on 28 Aug 62 and is awarded to all United States Air Force members who after 1 Jan 63, qualify as “expert” in small-arms marksmanship with either the M-16 rifle or issue handgun. Qualification as “expert” in both weapons after 22 Jun 72 shall be denoted by a bronze service star worn on the service ribbon. The RVNCG w/P is an award of a foreign government, and as such is not stocked or issued by the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense. Based on review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, DPSID was able to determine that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 3 Mar 66 to 19 Dec 69 and were not reflected in his records. Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR: *Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) *Presidential Unit Citation with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (PUC w/1BOLC) *Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) *Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/4BSS) *Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) The Air Force Good Conduct Medal is annotated on the applicant’s DD Form 214, as AFGCM, therefore, no action is required in regard to this award. A complete copy of the DPSID 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 Jul 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 an error or injustice warranting correction of the applicant’s records to reflect his entitlement to the AFLSA, SAEMR w/1BSS, RVNCG w/P, and RVNGCUC w/P. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission, including attachments, 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 the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the AFCM, PUC w/1BOLC, VSM w/4BSS and RVNGC w/P and will correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. 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 documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04682 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 Jan 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Jul 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Jul 15.