RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01953
            INDEX CODE:  107.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and that  his  military
personnel records indicate that he served in Vietnam.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was in Cam-Rahn Bay and DaNang Air Base, Vietnam in 1970 and  1971.   His
DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) does  not  reflect  that
he was in Vietnam, only in Indochina.  He indicates that he  cannot  process
a claim through the Veterans  Administration  without  clear  proof  of  his
claim that he was in Vietnam.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 30 October  1969  in  the
grade of airman basic  for  a  period  of  four  years.   He  was  honorably
discharged on 9 May 1972 and on 10 May 1972, he reenlisted for a  period  of
four years.  He was honorably discharged on 7  May  1976  in  the  grade  of
sergeant.  He served six years, six month, and eight days  of  total  active
service.

On 22 July  2003,  HQ  AFPC/DPAPP2  advised  the  applicant  there  were  no
documents in his personnel file that reflected  he  was  on  temporary  duty
(TDY) to Vietnam.  They requested  that  he  provide  documents,  i.e.,  TDY
orders, TDY vouchers, to support his claim that he was TDY to Vietnam.

On 24 September 2003, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA advised the applicant the  Republic  of
Vietnam Campaign Medal is only awarded to service personnel who  served  for
six months in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March  1973,
or served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam  and  contributed
direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam (RVN)  Armed  Forces  (only
members who meet the criteria for award of the  Armed  Forces  Expeditionary
Medal or Vietnam Service Medal are considered  to  have  contributed  direct
combat support to the RVN Armed Forces).  They requested  he  withdraw  this
portion of his application since he was not eligible for this medal.

According to the applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Separation  from  Active
Duty  or  Discharged)  he  received  the  following  decorations:   National
Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding  Unit  Award,  Air  Force  Good
Conduct Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster,  Presidential  Unit  Citation,  and
the Air Force Longevity Service Award.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP2 recommended denial.  They indicated that there are  no  official
documents in the applicant’s personnel record that support his claim to  any
temporary duties (TDYs) to Vietnam.  His records do  confirm  he  served  in
the Philippines and Thailand.

The evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial.  They indicated  that  they  have  thoroughly
reviewed the applicant’s records and they are unable to find any  indication
that he  was  TDY  from  the  Philippines  to  Vietnam  at  any  time.   His
assignment to Thailand is after the closeout date for award of  the  Vietnam
Service  Medal.   They  are  unable  to  verify  his  eligibility  for   any
additional individual or unit awards or decorations.

The evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 26 November 2003, copies of the Air Force evaluations were  forwarded  to
the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  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  warranting  the  applicant’s  records
reflects he served in Vietnam  and  that  he  be  awarded  the  Republic  of
Vietnam Campaign Medal.  The applicant contends that he was in Cam-Rahn  Bay
and DaNang Air Base, Vietnam in 1970  and  1971.   We  took  notice  of  the
applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case;  however,
we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air  Force  and  adopt
their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant  has  not
been the victim of an error or  injustice.   According  to  the  applicant’s
military  personnel  records  there  is  no  indication  that  he  had   any
assignment or TDY’s to any location in Vietnam.  Records  do  show  that  he
served in the Philippines and Thailand during his Air Force career.   On  22
July 2003, AFPC/DPAPP2 requested the applicant provide a copy of TDY  orders
or paid TDY travel vouchers showing he was in Vietnam.  He did not  respond.
 Therefore, in  the  absence  of  evidence  to  the  contrary,  we  find  no
compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.
_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented  did  not  demonstrate
the existence of an error or an 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 this application in  Executive
Session on 22 January 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                 Mr. Michael K. Gallogly, Panel Chair
                 Mr. Gregory H. Petkoff, Member
                 Mr. Albert Ellett, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR  Docket  Number  BC-
2003-01953 was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 June 2003, w/atch.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 3 September 2003,
               w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 21 November 2003,
               w/atch.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 November 2003.



                       MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY
                       Panel Chair