RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00307 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) be replaced with the 
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He desires the VSM. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provided a personal 
statement and a copy of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the 
United States Report of Transfer or Discharge. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 9 January 1964 
in the grade of airman basic. He was progressively promoted to 
the grade of sergeant having assumed that grade effective and 
with a date of rank of 1 June 1966. He served as an Instrument 
Repairman. 

 

On 30 December 1967, the applicant was honorably released and 
transferred to the Air Force Reserves for a completion of his MSO 
of 8 January 1979. He served 3 years, 11 months and 22 days on 
active duty. He was also credited with 3 years, 4 months, and 
7 days of foreign and/or sea service 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states a thorough review of 
the applicant's master personnel records failed to provide any 
document that substantiated any time served in Vietnam. They 
were able to confirm the applicant was assigned to Kadena AB, 
Okinawa, from 26 August 1964 to 30 December 1967; however, unable 
to confirm boots on ground in Vietnam. 


 

The DPAPP complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the applicant 
previously made a request for the exchange of his AFEM for the 
VSM. On 27 February 2009, he was advised that they cannot 
exchange his AFEM for a VSM unless verification of his Vietnam 
service was solidified. Then, he would be eligible for the VSM 
and in turn entitled to an exchange. However, AFPC/DPAPP was 
unable to verify service in Vietnam. 

 

The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 21 August 2009, copies of the Air Force evaluations were 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no 
response. 

 

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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. After 
thoroughly reviewing the applicant's submission and the evidence 
of record, we found no evidence which would lead us to believe 
that he is entitled to the VSM. Therefore, we agree with the 
opinions and recommendations of the Air Forces office of primary 
responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our 
conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error 
or injustice. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we 
find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought. 

 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of an 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. 

 


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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2009-00307 in Executive Session on 29 September 2009, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2009-00307 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 March 2009, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Record. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 5 July 2009. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, undated. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 21 August 2009. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair