RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03568 

COUNSEL: NO 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded: 

 

1. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) 

 

2. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) 

 

3. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). (Administratively corrected) 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He is entitled to the requested awards for his service in the 
Republic of Vietnam. While serving at Ching Chaun Air Base, 
Taiwan, he made several trips of temporary duty (TDY) to inspect 
and pack parachutes. Many of these TDYs were to Vietnam, but 
were without orders being processed; therefore, he is unable to 
produce them for that reason. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his DD 
Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty; and, an 
AFPC/DPSIDR notification letter, dated 8 December 2010, 
pertaining to his award of the RVNGC w/P and the Philippine 
Republic Presidential Unit Citation (PRPUC). 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
served on active duty from 1 June 1967 to 4 November 1974. 

 

On 26 January 2011, the applicant was notified that his record 
was corrected to reflect award of the PRPUC and the RVNGC w/P. 

 


The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the 
Air Force at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the VSM is awarded 
to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in 
Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 1965, and 
before 28 March 1973. In addition, personnel serving in 
Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia (Southeast Asia) in direct support of 
operations in Vietnam during the same time period were eligible 
for the VSM, provided they were: 1) permanently assigned, 
attached, or detailed for one or more days with an organization 
participating in or directly supporting ground (military) 
operations; 2) permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for 
one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting 
military operations; 3) actually participated as a crewmember in 
one or more aerial flights directly supporting military 
operations; or, 4) served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 
60 non-consecutive days in the Republic of Vietnam or Southeast 
Asia. Time limitations may be waived for personnel participating 
in combat operations. 

 

The RVCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States who: 1) served for six months in South Vietnam during the 
period 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973; 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 Armed Forces of the 
United States who meet the criteria established for the VSM 
during the period of service required are considered to have 
contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam 
Armed Forces. 

 

DPSIDR indicates they were unable to verify the applicant served 
for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in the Republic of 
Vietnam or Southeast Asia. They were able to verify he served on 
two TDYs to the Republic of Vietnam for 16 days and 14 days 
respectively. He was not permanently assigned to a unit in 
Vietnam or in Southeast Asia in support of operations in Vietnam. 
Additionally, there is no evidence that he participated in combat 
while in Vietnam and he does not contend he was involved in 
aerial flight in support of combat operations or was aboard a 
naval vessel in support of combat operations. Therefore, since 
he does not meet the qualifications for award of the VSM, he is 
ineligible for award of the RVCM as well. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 


 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 5 August 2011 for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit 
D). As of this date, this office has received no response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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; 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 that the applicant has 
not been the victim of an error or injustice. The available 
records shows the applicant was present in Vietnam for only 30 
non-consecutive day, which is short of the 60 non-consecutive 
days needed for award of the VSM. Without award of the VSM, the 
applicant cannot qualify for the RVCM. Therefore, in the absence 
of evidence to the contrary, we find no 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-2010-03568 in Executive Session on 6 March 2012, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 


The following documentary evidence was considered for AFBCMR 
Docket Number BC-2010-03568: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 21 Jun 11, w/atchs. 

Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 27 Jul 11. 

Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Aug 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair