RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-04004
      COUNSEL: NONE
                  			HEARING DESIRED:  NO

______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

He be awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).  

______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in Takhli Air Base, Thailand, and he needs proof he 
was there.  

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty; a travel 
document, a Request and Authorization for Permissive Travel 
Order for In-Country R&R, and a Request and authorization for 
Permanent change of Station - Military.  

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

______________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
served on active duty from 5 August 1970 to 25 July 1974.  His 
DD Form 214 reflects he served 3 years, 11 months, and 21 days 
on active duty with 10 months and 28 days of Foreign Service.  

The Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of Assignments 
confirmed “Boots on the Ground” at Takhli Air Base, Thailand, 
from 26 August 1973 to 23 July 1974, for 10 months and 28 days 
of Foreign Service.  On 17 October 2013, their office notified 
the applicant that his DD Form 214 correctly reflects his 
Foreign Service and that since specific locations are not 
annotated on a member’s DD Form 214, he can use their letter as 
proof of “Boots on the Ground” in Thailand.  

The remaining pertinent facts are contained in the evaluation by 
the office of primary responsibility at Exhibit C.  

______________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denying the applicant’s request for award 
of the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).  DPSID states that after a 
thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel 
record, they were able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to 
the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor(AFOUA w/V) and 
the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P), 
for his service from 5 August 1970 to 25 July 1974.  His record 
will be administratively corrected to reflect these awards.  

DPSID states the VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces 
of the United States, who between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 
1973, 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, or who did not complete 
the length of service required but who during wartime: were 
wounded by the enemy (in a military action), captured by the 
enemy during action or in the line of duty but later rescued or 
released, killed in action or in the line of duty, or were 
assigned in Vietnam on 28 January 1973, and who served a minimum 
of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 January 1973 
to 28 March 1973 

DPSID indicates the applicant’s dates of service in Thailand are 
outside the award inclusive dates for award of the VCM; 
rendering him ineligible for the award.  

The complete 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 14 February 2014, for review and comment within 30 
days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, this office has received no 
response.

______________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or an 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 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.

________________________________________________________________
_

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-04004 in Executive Session on 10 April 2014, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	                    , Panel Chair
	                    , Member
	                    , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection 
with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-04004:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 May 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 2 Jan 14.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Feb 14. 




								                     
								Panel Chair
2

3