RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00289 

INDEX CODE: 107.00 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NO 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and Republic of 
Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He served as a photo interpreter of aerial reconnaissance in 
direct support of operations in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of his DD 
Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge; a Personnel Action Request; and two Requests and 
Authorization for Permanent Change of Station - Military. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
served as a Photo Interpreter Specialist and was progressively 
promoted to the rank of sergeant (E-4). According to his DD Form 
7, Airman Military Record, he served an unaccompanied tour in 
Guam from 25 March 1970 to 25 September 1971. 

 

The applicant was honorably released from active duty effective 
9 June 1972 and transferred to the Air Force Reserve. He served 
4 years on active duty of which 1 year, 5 months, and 15 days 
were foreign service. 

 

On 8 February 2010, AFPC/DPSIDR notified the applicant that they 
were unable to verify his entitlement to the VSM; however, they 
were able to verify his entitlement to the Air Force Longevity 
Service Award (AFLSA) and will correct his record to reflect the 
AFLSA. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 


 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR indicates the VSM is 
awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States 
serving at any time between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, in 
Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or in the airspaces 
thereof, and in direct support of operations in Vietnam; and, if 
on temporary duty (TDY) in the area of responsibility (AOR) for 
30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. Service members 
must actually participate as a crew member in one or more aerial 
flights directly supporting military operations, be attached to 
or regularly serving one, or more, days with an organization 
participating in or directly supporting ground (military) 
operations or be attached or regularly serving for one, or more, 
days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military 
operations. 

 

DPSIDR states that after a thorough review of the applicant’s 
military record, they found no evidence to support any time 
served in a area for which the VSM is awarded. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 19 March 2010 for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit 
D). As of this date, this office has received no response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. After a 
thorough review of the available records, we found no evidence 
that the individual is eligible for the award of the VSM and 
RVCM. The applicant did not provide any documentary evidence to 
substantiate his claim or, that he was recommended for, or 
awarded, the VSM or RVCM. Therefore, we agree with the opinion 
from the Air Force office of primary responsibility that the 


applicant is not a victim of error or injustice. In view of the 
above, we find no basis to favorably consider this application. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-00289 in Executive Session on 21 September 2010, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Panel Chair 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection 
with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-00289: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Forms 149, dtd 18 Jan & 22 Mar 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 10 Mar 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Mar 10. 

 

 

 

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

Panel Chair