dUL  2 0  rBB& 

. 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

IN THE MATTER OF: 

DOCKET NUMBER:  97-03338 
COUNSEL:  NONE 

HEARING DESIRED:  NOT INDICATED 

APPLICANT REOUESTS THAT: 
He  be  awarded  the  Vietnam  Service  Medal  and  the  Air  Force 
Overseas Tour Ribbon. 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 
He served two TDY assignments in Thailand in 1968 and 1969. 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from 
the  applicant's military  records, are  contained  in  the  letter 
prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force. Accordingly, 
there  is  no  need  to  recite  these  facts  in  this  Record  of 
Proceedings. 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
The  Recognition  Programs  Branch,  Promobions,  Evaluation  & 
Recognition Division, AFPC/DPPPRA, reviewed the  application and 
states the only indication the applicant was TDY is an entry on 
the  worksheet  reflecting 58  days TDY  in  Southeast Asia  (SEA). 
They can-not verify his presence in Thailand.  Without TDY orders 
to verify the purpose of his TDY, or the travel voucher-to  verify 
the specific country and length of stay, they can not vefify his 
eligibility for the Vietnam Service Medal or any other awards or 
decorations. 

A  complete  copy  of  the  Air  Force  evaluation  is  attached  at 
Exhibit C. 

97-03338 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

The applicant reviewed the Air  Force evaluation and states that 
he was assigned to the 4258th Bomb  Wing, U-Tapo, Thailand for his 
entire  TDY assignment.  He  worked  as  a  jet  engine mechanic  in 
field maintenance and as a line mechanic on the B-52 and the KC- 
135.  He  wants  to  join  a  veterans  group  and  become  a  board 
member, or an elected officer.  The only way he  can accomplish 
this is by having his records corrected.  He also states that he 
I/  is very proud of his military career and would  like to share it 

with his family. 

Applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit E. 

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  probable  error  or  injustice  to 
warrant awarding the Vietnam Service Medal  (VSM) .  The applicant 
contends he completed two TDY assignments in Thailand in 1968 and 
1969.  Although the applicant has been unable to provide copies 
of TDY orders or travel vouchers in support of his request, an AF 
Form  7 contained  in his  records reflects that  he  performed  58 
days TDY  in  SEA.  In view of  this, and  in recognition of  his 
accomplishments  in  the  defense  of  our  nation,  we  believe  the 
benefit of the doubt,should be resolved in his favor.  Therefore, 
we  recommend the applicant's records be  corrected to the extent 
indicated below. 
4.  Insufficient  relevant  evidence  has  been  presented  to 
demonstrate  the  existence  of  probable  error  or  injustice  to 
warrant  awarding  the Air  Force  Overseas Tour Ribbon.  In this 
respect, we note the ribbon was not established until 12 October 
1980, and eligibility was not made retroactive.  In view of this, 
and since he did not serve overseas after 12 October 198cI,  he is 
not  eligible for the ribbon.  Therefore, we  find no basis upon 
which to recommend favorable consideration of this portion of his 
application. 

- 

- 

2 

97-03338 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 23 May 1969, 
he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. 

The following members of the Board considered this application in 
,  Executive Session on 21 April  1998, under the provisions of AFI 
'  36-2603: 

Mr. David C. Van Gasbeck, Panel Chair 
Mr. Benedict A. Kausal IV, Member 
Mr. Dana J. Gilmour, Member 

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

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 2 November 1997. 
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 
Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA, dated 20 November 1997. 
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 15 December 1997. 
Exhibit E.  Letters, Applicant, dated 16 December 1997. 

- *  

3 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON, DC 

JUL  2 

Office of the Assistant Secretary 

AFBCMR 97-03338 

’  MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF 

Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction 

of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A 
Stat 116), it is directed that: 

ds of the Department of the Air Force relating t 
corrected to show that on 21 April  1969, he was awar 

v Director 

Air Force Review Boards Agency 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE PERSONNEL CENTER 

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE TEXAS 

MEMORANIluM FOR AFJ3CMR 
FROM:  HQ AFPClDPPPRA 

550 C Street West Ste 12 
Randolph AFB TX 78 150-47 14 

SUBJEC 

@D  Form 149) 

a;;-.. 
-4  (.’ 

20 November 1997 

1.  REQUESTED ACTION. Applicant requests award of the Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force 
Overseas Ribbon, etc. 
2.  BASIS FOR REQUEST.  Applicant is trying to join a vet& 

group. 

3.  FACTS. 

a.  Applicant was on active duty 21 Jan 66-23 May 69, and received the National Defense 

Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal 

Service Medal, Small &s 
with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster. 

b.  Applicant states he had two TDY assignments to Thailand in 1968 and 1969.  He states he 
no longer has a copy of the TDY orders.  There are no TDY orders or Travel Vouchers in his file. 

c.  Air Force Form 7 reflects only&?DY  SEA 58 Days).”  There is no indication when, 

where, or why the TDY was pdormed, 

d.  The Air Force Overseas (Long/Short) Tour Ribbon was not established until 12 Oct 80; 

therefore, the applicant is not eligible for this award. 

e.  The Vietnam Service Medal is awarded for TDY of 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive 
days to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodi& or Laos if the individual is in direct support of operations 
inVietnam. 
4.  DISCUSSION.  Since the only indication the applicant was TDY is an entry on the work- 
sheet reflecting 58 days TDY in “SEA” (Southeast Asia), we can not veri@ his presence in 
Thailand.  “SEA” could mean Guam, Philippine Republic, Japan, Korea, etc. Without the TDY 
orders to veri@ the purpose of his TDY, or the Travel Voucher to verify the specific country and 
length of stay, we can not verifj. his eligibility for the Vietnam Service Medal or any other 
awards or decorations. 

5. RECOMMENDATION. 

. .!.I. 
-4 5: ,- 

We recommend disapproval of the applicant's request for award of the Vietnam Service 

Medal and Air Force Overseas Ribbon. 

P 

FOR THE COMMANDER 

GEORGIA A. WISE, DAFC 
Recognition Programs Branch 
Promotions, Eval& Recognition Div