RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-00536

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect the following:

		1.  He served in Vietnam.

		2.  He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

While stationed at Clark AB, Philippines he volunteered for 
temporary duty (TDY) to Vietnam.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 31 Jan 63, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the 
Regular Air Force.

The applicant was stationed at Clark AB from 8 Jul 65 to 
6 Dec 66.

According to a DD Form 1098, Personnel Action Report, contained 
in the applicant’s records, the applicant was TDY for 60 days to 
DaNang Vietnam.

On 8 Dec 66, the applicant was released from active duty with an 
honorable character of service and credited with three years, 
ten months, and eight days of active service to include one 
year, five months, and two days of foreign service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to be 
credited with foreign service in Vietnam.   A review of the 
documentation submitted by the applicant and his military 
personnel records failed to substantiate he served in Vietnam.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for 
award of the VSM.  The applicant’s foreign service in Vietnam 
could not be verified, therefore, rendering him ineligible for 
the VSM.  The VSM is awarded to all members of the U. S. Armed 
Forces serving at any time between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 in the 
following areas Southeast Asia, Vietnam and the contiguous 
waters and airspace in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or the 
airspaces thereof, and in direct support of operations in 
Vietnam.  To be eligible, a service member must have served on 
TDY for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He has documentation from a fellow service member who served in 
Vietnam with him who experienced a similar problem regarding his 
service in Vietnam, and how his records were corrected by the 
Air Force.

A complete copy of the applicant’s response is at Exhibit E.

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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 an injustice warranting 
corrective action.  We note the comments of the Air Force 
offices of primary responsibility indicating there is no 
evidence in the applicant’s submission indicating he served in 
Vietnam; however, the applicant’s military personnel records 
contain a DD Form 1098, Personnel Action Report, which 
substantiates the applicant performed 60 days of temporary duty 
to Da Nang AB, Vietnam.  Therefore, we recommend that his 
records be corrected as indicated below.

________________________________________________________________




THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show he that he had 
“boots on ground” in Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam and he was 
awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-00536 in Executive Session on 12 Nov 13, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Jan 13, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 10 Apr 13..
     Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 14 May 13.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 May 13.
     Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, dated 18 Jun 13, w/atchs.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair