RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00265 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty, be corrected to reflect entitlement to the Korean Defense 
Service Medal (KDSM) (Will be administratively corrected) and 
the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214 does not reflect the VSM for his service in 
Saigon Okinawa, and to CCK Air Base, Taiwan, Republic of China 
while assigned to Kadena Air Base from 1973 to 1974. 

 

The KDSM is retroactive to the end of the Korean conflict, but 
was not approved while he was in country from 1981 to 1982. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214 and personal statements. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant retired on 1 Nov 87 in the grade of master 
sergeant. He is credited with 5 years, 1 month, and 12 days of 
Foreign Service. Additionally, he has prior U. S. Navy service. 

 

HQ AFPC/DPAPP was able to verify and confirm boots on ground at 
Kadena Air Base, Japan, from May 1974 to July 1975 and Kunsan 
Air Base, Republic of Korea, from May 1981 to May 1982. 

 

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 Southeast Asia: Vietnam and the contiguous waters and 
airspace, Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace there-over 
and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. A service 
member must have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive 
days or 60 non-consecutive days to be eligible for award of the 
VSM. 

 


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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial for award of the VSM. DPSIDR 
states they were able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to 
the KDSM and the records will be administratively corrected to 
reflect this entitlement. 

 

DPSIDR states no documentation was provided or could be located 
to substantiate the applicant served in Vietnam or in any of the 
areas of eligibility for award of the VSM. 

 

The complete 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 13 May 11 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 an error or injustice. After a 
thorough review of the available evidence and the applicant’s 
complete submission, we find no evidence that his records should 
be corrected to show he was awarded the VSM. As such, with the 
exception of the KDSM award that will be administratively added 
to his records, he is not entitled to any additional awards for 
his service in Vietnam; therefore, 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 that the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In 
the absence of persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no 
basis to recommend favorable consideration of his 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-2011-00265 in Executive Session on 21 July 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 January 2011, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. AFPC/DPAPP, Letter, dated 8 April 2011. 

 Exhibit D. AFPC/DPSIDR, Letter, dated 4 May 2011. 

 Exhibit E. SAF/MRBR, Letter, dated 13 May 2011, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair