RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00231
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for his service in
Taiwan.
________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He served in Southeast Asia (SEA) at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base,
Taiwan, as a crew chief, in direct support of operations in
Vietnam.
In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his
DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in
conjunction with his 7 Feb 68 separation and other supporting
documentation.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force, on 8 Feb 64,
for a period of four years. He was progressively promoted to
the rank of sergeant (Sgt/E-4) with an effective date and Date
of Rank (DOR) of 1 Feb 67. The applicant served at Ching Chuan
Kang Air Base, Taiwan.
He was honorably released from active duty, on 7 Feb 68, under
the provisions of AFR 39-10, for expiration term of service
(ETS). He was credited with four years of active duty service,
including one year, one month, and one day of foreign service.
The applicants record was administratively corrected to reflect
boots on ground, in Taiwan.
________________________________________________________________
THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, stating, in part, no official
documentation was located in the applicants master personnel
record or provided by the applicant that verifies the applicant
served in the Area of Eligibility (AOE) for entitlement to the
award of the VSM. In addition, they noted the Directorate of
Assignments (DOA) was unable to verify that the applicant met
the eligibility requirement.
The VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces
who between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, served in the
following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous
waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the
airspace thereof and in direct support of military operations in
Vietnam.
The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
In his response to the Air Force evaluation, the applicant
highlights a letter he received from the DOA verifying his
entitlement to boots on ground, in Thailand and the VSM. In
addition, he notes that while serving in Taiwan, he was on
temporary duty (TDY) to other countries in SEA, in support of
the Vietnam War.
The applicants complete response, with attachments, is at
Exhibit D.
________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice warranting
corrective action. We took notice of the applicants complete
submission, in judging the merits of the case. We note the
comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility;
nonetheless, after a review of the available record, it appears
that while the applicant was assigned to Ching Chuan Kang Air
Base his unit received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross,
with Palm, a decoration awarded by the Republic of Vietnam for
valorous service. We believe that this provides creditable
evidence that is consistent with the applicants statements and
that any doubt should be resolved in his favor. In view of the
above, we recommend the applicant be entitled to the award of
the Vietnam Service Medal. Accordingly, we recommend the
applicants record be corrected to the extent indicated below.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his
DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of
Transfer or Discharge, issued 7 February 1968, Item 24, Decorations, Medal, Badges, Commendations, Citations and
Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized be amended to reflect the
Vietnam Service Medal.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2011-00231 in Executive Session on 1 September 2011,
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Jan 11, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 21 Apr 11.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 11.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 13 May 11, w/atchs.
Panel Chair
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