RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-00463
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 19 AUGUST 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Vietnam Service
Medal (VSM).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Several years ago he submitted a request to the military records
center to replace some lost medals. The records center sent him
several medals to include the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
(RVCM). He believes he should have received the VSM instead of the
RVCM.
In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy of his DD
Form 214, DD Form 4, Special Order G-117, AF Fm 7, Special Order A-184
and Reserve Order CA-010043.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force (RegAF) on 25 January
1966, as an airman basic (AB) for a period of four years.
The applicant’s records reflect he was awarded the National Defense
Service Medal (NDSM), Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR),
and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM).
The applicant’s AF Form 7 reflects he served in Okinawa from 26 July
1966 through 24 January 1968.
The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 23 May 1969
in the grade of sergeant (Sgt). He served 3 years, 3 months and 29
days of active duty service.
On 24 April 2006, HQ AFPC/DPPPR informed the applicant he was not
eligible for the VSM because his area of operation (Okinawa) was not
authorized to receive the VSM and requested he withdraw his
application. The applicant did not respond.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial. They state the VSM is awarded to
servicemembers who, between 4 July 1965, and 28 March 1973, served in
Southeast Asia; in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in
Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereof or in the direct
support of military operations in Vietnam.
They further stated the applicant served in Okinawa from 1966 to 1968;
however, Okinawa is not an authorized area of operation for receiving
the VSM.
A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on
23 June 2006, for review and response. 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 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 the recommendation of the Air
Force and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the
applicant has not been the victim of an error or an injustice. The
applicant requests he be awarded the VSM. There was no documentation
found in the applicant’s military records or in the documentation he
provided to support he served in Vietnam. The applicant did serve in
Okinawa; however, Okinawa is not an authorized area for award of the
VSM. Without official documentation showing the applicant served in
Vietnam his eligibility for the VSM cannot be verified. Therefore, in
the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling 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-
2006-00463 in Executive Session on 14 September 2006, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Wayne R. Gracie, Panel Chair
Ms. Patricia R. Collins, Member
Mr. Reginald P. Howard, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, 10 Feb 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, 13 Jun 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Jun 06.
WAYNE R. GRACIE
Panel Chair
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