RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01861 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, reflect 
award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He served from January 1970 to February 1976 in the Vietnam Era. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant submits copies of flight 
records, personal flight log records and documents extracted from 
his military personnel records. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant honorably served on active duty for 6 years 
3 months and 13 days and was credited with 5 months and 20 days 
of foreign and/or sea service. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states after a review of the 
applicant’s military records, they could find no mention that the 
applicant was TDY to Vietnam. However, an evaluation report from 
20 October 1971 to 19 April 1972 states that, “Lt M--- has also 
been awarded the Vietnam Service Ribbon.” Also, in an evaluation 
report from 20 April to 19 October 1972 states, “He flew 
150 hours, including one combat sortie during this period.” 
Lastly, in an evaluation report from 20 April to 19 October 1973, 
it states, “Capt M--- flew two sorties in support of the Air 
Force airlift requirements in Southeast Asia.” There is no 
concrete evidence that he served in Vietnam, therefore, they 
cannot confirm boots on the ground for Vietnam. 

 

The DPAPP complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. 


 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states after a thorough 
review of the applicant’s records and documents provided, DPSIDR 
is unable to locate official documentation verifying his presence 
in Vietnam under any of the criteria for the VSM. Therefore he 
is ineligible for award of the VSM. There are four Flight 
Authorization forms (MAC Form 41), but there is no supporting 
official documentation indicating that he actually entered 
Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia and was in direct support to 
operations there. On his evaluation report from 20 April 1972 to 
19 October 1972 there is mention of a combat sortie; however, 
there is no indication of country or circumstances of the sortie. 
The applicant was a pilot for a C-141 cargo aircraft. 

 

The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant states from early 1971 to early 1976 he was a USAF 
pilot for the C-141 aircraft. He was assigned to the 18th 
Military Airlift Squadron at McGuire AFB, NJ. Their mission was 
to provide TDY airlift support to other U.S. missions worldwide 
including occasional TDY in Southwest Asia, to include flights in 
South Vietnam airspace and to and from U.S. airbases in South 
Vietnam. Hostile fire/combat pay was received for the months 
that included a TDY (airlift mission) in Vietnam. 

 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments 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 an error or injustice. After 
reviewing the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission 
we believe that relief is warranted. We note that the 
applicant’s evaluation reports from October 1971 to October 1973 
reflect he had been awarded the Vietnam Service Ribbon, he flew 
150 hours, including one combat sortie, and he flew two sorties 
in support of the Air Force airlift requirements in Southeast 
Asia. We also note the applicant provided personal flight 
records and Flight Authorization forms. In view of the above, we 
believe the evidence provided is sufficient to support our 


action. Therefore, we recommend that his records be corrected as 
indicated below. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded 
the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-01861 in Executive Session on 4 January 2012, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2011-01861 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 May 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 31 October 2011. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 14 November 2011. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 December 2011. 

 Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 8 December 2011, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair