RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00484 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was awarded the BSM for his participation in the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam. While he lost all of his personal records in a house fire in 1978, he was able to locate the associated BSM certificate. He never received the actual medal, just the paperwork. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 28 Mar 72. On 11 Sep 75, the applicant received an AF Form 910, TSgt, SSgt, and Sgt Performance Report, covering the period 11 Sep 74 through 10 Sep 97, on which his reporting official wrote: “(He) voluntarily flew into Vietnam in April 1975 and assisted in Operation Baby Lift and the evacuation of Vietnamese refugees and Americans while Saigon was under hostile attack. (He) tirelessly worked until he too was forced to evacuate.” On 6 Feb 76, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 10 months, and 09 days of active 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 indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is governed by Executive Order 11046, which authorizes the Secretary of a Military Department to award the BSM to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight; 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. A thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record did not verify award of the BSM. The applicant provided a copy of a BSM certificate signed by the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF/CC); however, no other documentation such as a special order or a BSM citation was provided or can be located in his record. The special order is the official source documentation to verify award of a decoration. While the applicant has provided a signed certificate which appears to be authentic, there is no other supporting documentation. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In further support of this request, the applicant submitted a personal statement in which he explains he was able to locate a copy of the BSM citation which accompanied his BSM Certificate by searching his personnel records at his place of employment, the Houston Police Department. In addition, he submitted an additional copy of the BSM certificate along with the new located BSM citation. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2.  The application was not timely filed, but the board finds it is in the interests of justice to waive timeliness. 3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, a majority of the Board believes the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. While we note the comments of AFPC/DPSID indicating that relief should be denied because no other documentation such as a special order or a BSM citation was provided or can be located in his record, the majority of the Board believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates corrective action is warranted. In this respect, the majority of the Board notes that in addition to the signed BSM Certificate the applicant submitted with his original application, he provided a copy of the accompanying BSM Citation for his BSM Certificate in his rebuttal. In addition, the applicant’s official records contain an Enlisted Performance Report covering the period 14 Sep 74 through 20 Sep 75, in which his reporting official stated the applicant “flew to Vietnam in April 1975 and assisted in Operation Baby Lift and the evacuation of Vietnamese refugees and Americans while Saigon was under hostile attack. (The applicant) tirelessly worked until he too was forced to evacuate.” Therefore, the majority of the Board believes the applicant has submitted sufficient evidence to establish he was awarded the BSM, and recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal on 17 March 1976. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00484 in Executive Session on 6 Oct 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member By a majority vote, the Board voted to correct the records as recommended. --------- voted to deny and declined to submit a minority report. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Jan 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 21 Apr 15. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jun 15. Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, dated 9 Oct 15, w/atchs.