RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03541 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect entitlement to the: 

 

1. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

2. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He is filing for benefits with the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (DVA) for a medical condition due to exposure to Agent 
Orange herbicides. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of 
extracts from his master personnel records and a photo of his 
decorations. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The available records reflect the applicant entered the Regular 
Air Force on 29 Dec 72 and was honorably discharged on 29 May 
79. He is credited with six years, five months, and one day of 
active service and seven months and nine days of Foreign 
Service. 

 

The VSM 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 Southwest Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters 
and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace 
thereof, and in direct support of military operations in 
Vietnam. 

 

The RVCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States who served for six months in South Vietnam, during the 
period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or served outside the 


geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct 
combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six 
months. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the Directorate 
of Assignments (HQ AFPC/DPAPP) was only able to verify the 
applicant being at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, 
on 22 Mar 75. DPSOS states no official documentation was 
located or provided to help verify additional Foreign Service 
credit in Vietnam. 

 

The complete HQ AFPC/DPSIDR 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 Dec 10 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has not received a 
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. 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 the relief sought in this application. 

 

4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 
will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


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-2010-03541 in Executive Session on 13 January 2011, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 21 Sep 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 29 Nov 10. 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair