RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00548
			COUNSEL:  NONE
			HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to show entitlement to the 
following awards and decorations:

	1.  Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). (Entitlement verified - 
administratively corrected)

	2.  Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He performed flying missions and ground support duties in 
Vietnam from 1966 to Jul 67, and then returned to Vietnam in 
1968, until his discharge in Mar 69.

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, a hostile fire pay document, temporary duty (TDY) 
orders, permanent change of station (PCS) and aeronautical 
orders, and the back page of his performance report.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force 
from 6 Aug 65 to 12 Mar 69.  His DD Form 214 reflects a total of 
3 years, 7 months, and 7 days of total active service, with 
2 years, 7 months, and 21 days being Foreign Service.

His DD Form 214 reflects his entitlement to the National Defense 
Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the 
Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

On 1 Apr 13, AFPC/DPAPP sent the applicant a letter informing 
him they were able to confirm boots on the ground and foreign 
service at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, from 22 Jan 66 to 22 Aug 67, 
for 1 year, 7 months, and 1 day; and Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, 
Taiwan, from 22 Feb 68 to 11 Mar 69, for 1 year and 20 days, for 
a combined total Foreign Service of 2 years, 7 months, and 
21 days.  While assigned to Taiwan, he was deployed to the 
Republic of Vietnam, but they were unable to determine the exact 
amount of time of this deployment.  The applicant was told that 
since specific locations are not annotated on a member’s DD Form 
214, he could use their letter as proof of “boots on the ground” 
for Okinawa, Taiwan, and the Republic of Vietnam.

AFPC/DPSID was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the 
Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1 BSS) 
and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC 
w/P) and will administratively correct his records to reflect 
these awards.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for 
award of the VCM.  DPSID states that the Directorate of 
Assignments was able to confirm the applicant served in Vietnam; 
however, they were unable to confirm the applicant served for at 
least six months in Vietnam.  To grant relief for award of the 
VCM without validation that he served in Vietnam for six months 
would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by 
Department of Defense Manual 1348.33., Manual of Military 
Decorations and Awards.

The VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States who between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73, served for six months 
in South Vietnam during this period; or served outside the 
geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct 
support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate 
of six months.

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 7 Jun 13, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to 
the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C).  
As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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.  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 that relief beyond 
that already granted administratively is not warranted.  
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find 
no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this 
application.

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number    
BC-2013-00548 in Executive Session on 29 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 29 Jan 13, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 13 May 13.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Jun 13.




				
				Panel Chair