RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-01804
INDEX CODE: 107.00
JACK D. WAMBLE COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 9 DEC 2008
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for his service in
Vietnam from 21 May to 2 Jun 69.
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
While assigned to a communication group in the Philippines he
performed duty in Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. His unit was
awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for supporting
military operations in a combat zone. He believes he meets the
requirement for award of the VSM, which states “Be attached to or
regularly serve for one or more days with an organization
participating in or directly supporting military operations.”
In support of his appeal, applicant submitted a personal statement;
statements from former members of his unit, along with copies of
their temporary duty (TDY) orders and travel vouchers; other
supporting documentation from his records and his unit’s internet
website.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
___________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 19 Jun 52
and was honorably discharged on 2 Feb 55. He enlisted in the
US Air Force on 3 Feb 55 for a period of four years in the grade of
airman basic. Applicant served in the Philippines from 4 Dec 68 –
3 Jun 71. He was progressively promoted to the grade of master
sergeant (MSgt) with a date of rank of 1 Dec 74.
Applicant was relieved from active duty on 31 Jul 75 and honorably
retired effective 1 Aug 75 in the grade of MSgt. He was credited
with 20 years, 6 months, and 25 days of active service for
retirement.
___________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application and recommended denial,
stating, in part, the VSM is awarded to members of the service who,
between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 served in Southeast Asia: In Vietnam
and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or
Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of
military operations in Vietnam. In addition, members must have
served on TDY 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days.
HQ AFPC/DPPPR’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Applicant reiterated his original contentions that he should be
eligible for award of the VSM. He further indicated the evaluation
omitted a portion of para 5b (d) which states, “except that time
limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat
operations.”
In support of his response, applicant provided a personal
statement; narrative for award of his Unit’s PUC and the
qualification requirements for the VSM.
Applicant’s complete response, with attachments, 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of
the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the
case. Applicant argues that the record shows he was participating
in actual combat operations in Vietnam, which he believes qualifies
for an exception to the requirement to serve 30 consecutive days or
60 nonconsecutive days TDY in Vietnam. We note, while assigned to
the Philippines, applicant was TDY to Vietnam from 21 May –
2 Jun 69. However, after a thorough review of the evidence of
record and that provided by the applicant, we found no evidence to
substantiate that he participated in actual combat operations, or
in our view, meets the eligibility for award of the VSM. Should
the applicant provide further documentation to substantiate his
claim, we would be willing to reconsider his petition. In view of
the above, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought
in this application.
4. Additionally, applicant’s record will be administratively
corrected to reflect a TDY in Vietnam from 21 May – 2 Jun 69, and
his entitlement for award of the PUC and the Air Force Outstanding
Unit Award (AFOUA) with valor, while assigned to the mobile
communication group.
___________________________________________________________________
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-2007-01804 in Executive Session on 17 October 2007, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Michael J. Novel, Panel Chair
Mr. Reginald P. Howard, Member
Ms. Teri G. Spoutz, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 31 May 07, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 12 Jul 07.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Jul 07.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 1 Aug 07, w/atchs.
MICHAEL J. NOVEL
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-01141
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. There was no documentation found in the applicant’s military records or provided by him to support he served in an area of eligibility for award of the VSM. ...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-03890
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03890 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following: a. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in Guam with the 3960th Strategic Wing for 176...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-01030
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-01030 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: None HEARING DESIRED: Yes MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 27 Sep 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214 reflect award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM), the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM), the...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-01599
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01599 INDEX NUMBER: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) and the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02009
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02009 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: None HEARING DESIRED: Yes MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 25 Dec 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records reflect he was assigned to the 4133 Bomb Wing (4133 BW), Provisional, at Anderson AFB, Guam, for the period 17 Jul - 26 Oct 67, and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). ...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-03251
His DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect his TDY to Vietnam. We note the applicants records have been administratively corrected to reflect his foreign service in Thailand. In this regard, 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...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-04546
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04546 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) and Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) which is...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-02634
--The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVNCM) is awarded to members who: (1) served for six months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; (2) served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months--only members who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or the VSM during the period required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-01875
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-01875 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: None HEARING DESIRED: No MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 14 Dec 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214 reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVNCM), and the Air Force Overseas Ribbon (AFOSR), and his service in Vietnam. A...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-00026
AFPC/DPAPP verified the applicant served at Kadena Air Base (AB), Japan, from 20 Sep 67 to 22 Mar 68, for a total of six months and four days. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The documentation provided to date clearly shows flight time during both TDYs, in 67-68 and 68-69. Someone must know KC-135 crew chiefs flew with their aircraft on most missions at that time.