RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
 

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-00547

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Vietnam 
Service Medal (VSM), Air Force Overseas Ribbon (AFOR), and all 
other awards and ribbons in which he earned.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in Thailand in 1965 and 1966 and was also stationed at 
Wetherfield, England in 1963.

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

_________________ ______________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s military personnel records indicate that he 
enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 18 Dec 59 and served on 
active duty until 17 Dec 62, when he was honorably discharged 
due to physical disability and was credited with three years of 
total active service.  The DD Form 214 issued in conjunction 
with his separation does not reflect any foreign service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force which is at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the 
VSM, indicating the applicant was awarded the Armed Forces 
Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for his service in Vietnam.  
According to DoDM 1348.33, no service member shall be awarded 
both medals for service in Vietnam; however, the applicant may 
exchange the AFEM for the VSM.  
The applicant’s request for the AFOR should also be denied as he 
separated from active duty several years before the AFOR was 
authorized; therefore, he is not qualified for this award.  The 
AFOR was authorized by the Chief of Staff, United States Air 
Force, on 12 Oct 80.  The ribbon was authorized to be awarded to 
Air Force and Air Force Reserve members credited with completion 
of an overseas tour on or after 1 Sep 80.  Only individuals 
serving on active duty as of 6 Jan 86 are eligible to have the 
AFOR applied retroactively for completion of an overseas tour.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 6 May 13 for review and comment within 30 days.  As 
of this date, no response has been received by this office 
(Exhibit D).

________________________________________________________________

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.  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 
(OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion 
the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  
We note the comments of the Air Force OPR indicating that the 
applicant may exchange his Armed Forces Service Medal (AFEM) for 
the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).  Should he choose to do so, he 
should contact AFPC/DPSIDR for more information.  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-2013-00547 in Executive Session on 31 Oct 13, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

		              , Panel Chair
		              , Member
		              , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	 Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 28 Jan 13, w/atchs.
	 Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	 Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 Apr 13.
	 Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 13.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair

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