RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS.


IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01027

   						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the following decorations:

	1.  The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). (Administratively corrected)

	2.  The Vietnam Service Medal third Bronze Service Star (VSM w/3BSS).  (Administratively corrected)

	3.  The Air Force Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFCM w/3BOLC).  

	4.  The Naval Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His unit was awarded the PUC and Naval Outstanding Unit Award with Valor for their part in breaking the Siege of Khe Sanh.  His maintenance officer put him in for four AFCMs during the period Feb 68 through Feb 69 and his VSM should have three devices but none of these appear on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 3 Feb 66.

Under Special Order G-1954, dated 20 May 69, the applicant was awarded the AFCM for meritorious service during the period 16 Feb 68 through 16 Feb 69.

On 5 Dec 69, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 21 days of total active service.  

On 1 Jul 15, AFPC/DPSIDRA directed the applicant’s DD Form 214 be corrected to:

	1.  Change “VSM w/2BSS” to read “Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/4BSS).”

	2.  Add the following decorations:

		a.  The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM).

		b.  The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).  

		c.  The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V).  
	
		d.  The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). 

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 with respect to the Air Force Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFCM w/3BOLC) and the Naval Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.  The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, below the grade of Colonel and foreign military personnel, who, while serving in any capacity with the Department of the Air Force after 28 Mar 58, distinguished themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service.  A thorough review of the applicant’s official military record verified award of the AFCM, PUC, AFOUA w/V, VSM w/4BSS, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross with Palm (RVCWP).  However, there is no documentation in his record which verifies award of the AFCM with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.  Further, the time frame for award of his basic AFCM covers the entire period of his service in Vietnam.  The Naval Outstanding Unit Award with Valor is not an official award of the Air Force and verification of that award could not be determined.  The applicant’s records are being administratively corrected to add the following awards:  the AFCM, the PUC, the AFOUA w/V, the VSM w/4BSS, and the RVNGC w/P.  Recommend denial of the applicant’s request for award of the Naval Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and the AFCM w/3BOLCs, due to the lack of qualifying documentation.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/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 31 Jul 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.


FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD:

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 with respect to the applicant’s request for award of Air Force Commendation Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFCM w/3BOLC) and the Naval Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of AFPC/DPSID and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice and 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-2015-01027 in Executive Session on 6 Oct 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member



The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01027 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 12 Mar 15.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Jul 05.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Jul 15.








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