RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01085 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. His records be corrected to show his entitlement to the 
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

2. His records be corrected to show his entitlement to the 
National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His records reflect that he is a veteran and should be awarded 
medals for his service. 

 

In support of the appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his 
Department of Veterans Affairs Rating Decision. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 4 Jun 75 and 
was progressively promoted to the grade of senior airman. On 
6 May 79, he was released from active duty for (Expiration of 
Term of Service) with service characterized as honorable. He 
served a total of 3 years, 11 months, and 29 days of active 
service. 

 

The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), created on 8 Jul 65, is awarded 
to all service members of the Armed Forces who, between 4 Jul 65 
and 28 Mar 73, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: 
in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, 
Laos or Cambodia or the airspace there over and while the AFPC 
website incorrectly indicates “or”] in the direct support of 
military operations in Vietnam. The specific eligibility 
criteria requires a member to be attached to or directly serving 
for one or more days with an organization, or aboard a naval 
vessel, directly supporting military operations; actually 
participate as a crew member on one or more aerial flights 
directly supporting military operations; or serve on temporary 


duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, although 
these time limitations may be waived for personnel participating 
in actual combat operations. However, no member may be issued 
both the AFEM and the VSM for service in Vietnam. 

 

The NDSM is awarded for honorable active service as a member of 
the Armed Forces of the United States for any period between 
27 Jun 50 and 27 Jul 54 (Korean War); 1 Jan 61 and 14 Aug 74 
(Vietnam War); 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95 (Operations DESERT 
SHIELD/DESERT STORM); and 11 Sep 01 to a date to be determined 
(terrorism attacks on the United States). During those periods, 
service members in the following categories shall not be eligible 
for the NDSM; (1) members of the Guard and Reserves on short 
tours of active duty to fulfill training obligations under an 
inactive duty training program; (2) any servicemember on 
temporary duty (TDY) or temporary active duty to serve on boards, 
courts, commissions, and similar organization; (3) any service 
member on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a 
physical examination. Any member of the United States Coast 
Guard of the Reserve or Guard Forces of the Armed Forces who, 
between 1 Jan 61 and 14 Aug 74, became eligible for award of the 
either the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for the 
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) or between 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95 
became eligible for award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal 
(SWASM) shall be eligible for award of the NDSM. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states that since the 
applicant did not serve on active duty during the time period for 
award of the NDSM or the VSM, he is not eligible for either 
award. 

 

The complete DPSIDRA 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 10 Sep 10, for review and comment within 30 days. As of this 
date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


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. Therefore, in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting his request. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of a 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-
2010-01085 in Executive Session on 4 Nov 10, under the provisions 
of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 Mar 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 19 Aug 10. 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair