RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03687 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal, with two Bronze Service Stars (VSM, w/2BSS). 2. He be credited for service in the Republic of Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: While he was assigned at Clark Air Base (AB), he went on temporary duty (TDY) status to Ton Son Nhut. He received four months of combat pay; however, his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the Unite States Report of Transfer or Discharge does not reflect this service. He should receive two campaign stars for his support of the Tet Counteroffensive (30 Jan – 1 Apr 68) and the Vietnamese Counteroffensive (2 Apr – 30 Jun 68). The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force, on 16 Feb 65, for a period of four years. He was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (Sgt/E-4) with a Date of Rank (DOR) 1 Feb 68. He was honorably released from active duty, on 11 Dec 68. He was credited with 3 years, 9 months, and 26 days of active duty service, including 1 year, 4 months, and 11 days of foreign service. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of boots on ground in Vietnam, stating, in part, that the applicant’s master personnel records and the documentation submitted failed to provide any evidence that substantiates foreign service time in Vietnam. They were able to confirm boots on ground foreign service at Clark AB, Republic of Philippines, from 30 Jul 67 to 10 Dec 68. In addition, the applicant’s AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, reflects a TDY to Southeast Asia (SEA) from 29 Feb 68 to 1 May 68, but fails to indicate a specific location in SEA. The complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the VSM, w/2BSS, stating, in part, the Directorate of Assignments could not verify the applicant served in Vietnam. Additionally, the Directorate of Assignment was unable to verify the specific location the applicant served while TDY to SEA. In addition, they note 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 SEA: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and the airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam. One BSS is awarded for each recognized military campaign period in which the member served. The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reiterated his original contentions that he went TDY to Vietnam. He received combat pay, separate rations, and another allowance, plus a tax break, which should be a part of his pay records. The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit F. ________________________________________________________________ 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting corrective action. We note the comments of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility; nonetheless, after a review of the applicant’s military record, it appears the applicant was on temporary duty to SEA. In addition, Air Force records validate the applicant’s home base was involved in direct support of operations in SEA, specifically, in Laos, Thailand, and/or in Vietnam during the time he was assigned. While it is not conclusive that the applicant served in the Republic of Vietnam, we find the submitted evidence to be credible and consistent with his statements and record of service in SEA. As such, we find the evidence sufficient to resolve any doubt in this matter in the applicant’s favor. In view of the above, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal. 2. Notwithstanding the above, we could not verify the applicant’s eligibility for boots on ground in Vietnam or the VSM, w/2BSS. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis upon which to recommend favorable consideration of this portion of his application. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued 11 December 1968, Item 24, Decorations, Medal, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized be amended to reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-03687 in Executive Session on 22 May 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Sep 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 13 Dec 10, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 11 Jan 11, w/atchs. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Jan 11. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 23 Feb 11, w/atchs. Panel Chair