RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01393
			COUNSEL:  NONE
			HEARING DESIRED:  NO 


APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) or the Vietnam 
Campaign Medal (VCM) for his service in Vietnam.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was sent on a Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to Vietnam for 
90 days.

The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider 
his untimely application because he was unaware he could request 
these medals.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 31 Jan 62, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force.

According to his AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, he had boots 
on the ground at Kadena AB, Okinawa.  

On 28 Jan 66, the applicant received an honorable discharge.  He 
was credited with 3 years, 11 months and 25 days of active 
service.  He had 1 year, 5 months and 4 days of foreign service.   


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP was able to confirm 
foreign-service boots on the ground in Okinawa from 11 Jul 62 to 
14 Dec 63.  However, after a review of his Master Personnel 
Records and documentation submitted, they were unable to confirm 
any foreign-service in Vietnam.  

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for the award of the VSM.  
They were unable to locate official documentation, and the 
applicant did not provide any, verifying he served in Vietnam, 
Laos, Cambodia or Thailand, or entered the airspace thereof.  
Although the applicant states he served 90 days within the area 
of eligibility, they were unable to locate documentation 
verifying the applicant served in the area of eligibility for 
the VSM.  

DPSID also recommends disapproval of the award of the VCM.  
There is no official documentation in the applicant’s records to 
verify he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of 
6 months for award of the VCM.  In additional, the Air Force 
Personnel Center, Directorate of Assignments verified the 
applicant as having served at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, but they 
were unable to confirm any foreign-service in Vietnam; 
therefore, rendering him ineligible for award of the VCM. 

The VSM is awarded to all members of the United States Armed 
Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace 
after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 73.  In additional, personnel 
serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of 
operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were 
eligible for the VSM.  To be eligible, a service member must be:  
permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, 
days with an organization participating in or directly 
supporting ground (military) operations; permanently assigned, 
attached, or detailed for one, or more days aboard a naval 
vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually 
participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights 
directly supporting military operations; have served on 
temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days.  
Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating 
in actual combat operations.  

The VCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces 
who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 served for six months in 
South Vietnam, or, served outside the geographical limits of 
South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the 
Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months.  
Only members of the United States Armed Forces who meet the 
criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or 
the VSM during the period of service required are considered to 
have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of 
Vietnam Armed Forces; or, 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 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 
29 Jan 73-28 Mar 73.   

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 23 Nov 14 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  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 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 
and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find 
no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.


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 documentary evidence pertaining to FBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-01393 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 31 Mar 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 17 Jul 14.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Nov 14.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Nov 14.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – PRIVACY ACT OF 1974