RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-03639

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States - Report of Transfer or Discharge, dated 5 Mar 71, be corrected to reflect:

	a. Award of the Air Medal.  (Applicant has not yet applied to the Recognitions office at AFPC, the Board staff has referred this portion of the request to that office--no Board vote required).

	b. Award of the Aircrew Member Badge.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

It was an Air Force oversight that he was not awarded the Air Medal and Aircrew Member Badge.  While stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, he was on flying status for 10 months, giving him at least 40 hours flying time.  In support of his request, the applicant submits copies of his AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, DD Form 214, and three letters from airmen who were stationed with him in Vietnam.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air Force staff sergeant (E-5).

On 21 Jun 67, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force.

On 8 Apr 70, AF Form 7 listed the applicant’s expected date of arrival (EDOA) to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, and his duty title, “Still Photo Camera Specialist.”  

On 5 Mar 71, the applicant was transferred to the Reserve of the Air Force.

On 20 Jun 73, the applicant was honorably discharged from the Reserve of the Air Force.  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AF/A3TM recommends denying the applicant’s request for the Aircrew Member Badge.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is no evidence of an error.  There is no proper source validating the applicant was on flying status and completed an Air Force course of flight training per AFM 35-13, Flying Status, Aeronautical Ratings, Designations, and Parachute Jump Status, dated 15 Aug 68, which was the policy at the time.  

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 28 Aug 20 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was not timely filed, but it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.  

2.  Apart from the medal/award request referred to AFPC Recognitions, the applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board. 

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AF/A3TM and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

CERTIFICATION

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2019-03639 in Executive Session on 3 Dec 20:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, received 26 Jul 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, HQ AF/A3TM, dated 14 Aug 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 28 Aug 20.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings pertaining to Docket Number BC-2019-03639, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.