RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02716 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect that he was awarded the 
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was deployed to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa in support of 
military operations. He had no written orders, only verbal 
orders from the commander. On or about 1 February 1966, he was 
deployed to Takhli Air Base, Thailand for 33 days in support of 
King Cobra. On 10 March 1966, he redeployed to Kadena Air Base, 
Okinawa. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of photos; his DD Forms 214, Armed Forces of 
the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge; his DD Form 
215, Correction of DD Forms 214, Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge; his AF Form 7, Airman 
Military Record, Certificate of Training, letters from the 
National Personnel Records Center and his squadron. 

 

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 11 February 
1959 and was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first 
class (E-3), having assumed that grade effective and with a date 
of rank of 1 February 1962. 

 

The VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces 
who between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, served in the 
following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous 
waters and airspace, in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the 
airspace thereof and in the direct support of military 
operations in Vietnam. 

 


On 26 April 1966, the applicant was honorably discharged from 
the Air Force due to expiration of term of service. He served 
7 years, 2 months and 16 days of total active service. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states there was no 
documentation in his military personnel records or provided to 
verify his temporary duty (TDY) assignment to Takhli Air Base, 
Thailand. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 17 September 2010 for review and comment within 30 
days. As of this date, this office has received no response 
(Exhibit D). 

 

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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 error or injustice. We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of 
the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation 
of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its 
rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not 
been the victim of an error or injustice. The applicant’s 
records were thoroughly reviewed, however, no documentation was 
found nor did he provide any evidence to substantiate his 
eligibility for award of the Vietnam Service Medal. In view of 
the above, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief 
sought in this application. 

 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that 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 Docket Number BC-
2010-02716 in Executive Session on 28 October 2010, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

Panel Chair 

Member 

Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 21 Jul 10, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Record. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 27 Aug 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Sep 10. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair