RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-05018 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Vietnam Service 
Medal (VSM) for foreign service credit for boots on ground in 
Vietnam. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He attended a corrosion control seminar at McClellan Air Force 
Base (AFB) and was directed to follow on at Ton Son Nhut Air 
Base, Republic of Vietnam. He is unable to provide any 
documentation to support his application because his personal 
records were destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 16 Feb 70, the applicant contracted his enlistment in the 
Regular Air Force. On 31 Aug 72, he was honorably discharged and 
credited with 2 years, 9 months, and 14 days of total active 
service, none of which was credited as foreign service. 

 

In accordance with the Department of Defense (DoD) 1348.33M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, C6.6.1.1.2, the VSM is 
awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States 
serving at any time between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, in Vietnam, 
Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, their contiguous waters, or 
airspace, thereover, in direct support of operations in Vietnam. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of 
the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibits C and D. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial noting a review of the 
applicant’s master personnel records and the documentation he 
provided do not substantiate he served in Vietnam. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial noting they were unable to 
verify the applicant's entitlement to the VSM. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 20 Mar 12, for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2011-05018 in Executive Session on 12 Jul 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Military Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPAPP, dated 13 Feb 12. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 22 Feb 12. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 20 Mar 12. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair