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AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-00316
Original file (BC-2011-00316.txt) Auto-classification: Denied
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00316 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge be corrected to reflect entitlement to the 
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He served on active duty in Vietnam for 59 days from Dec 71 to 
Feb 72. 

 

He had prostrate cancer which is secondary to herbicide exposure 
in Vietnam. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, two photos of him in Vietnam, and a SF Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty in the Air Force from 28 Jun 
68 to 8 Apr 72. His DD Form 214 reflects a total 3 years, 
6 months, and 4 days of total active service; with 1 year, 
6 months, and 10 days being Foreign Service. 

 

The VSM is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces who, 
between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, served in the following areas of 
Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and 
airspace, in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspaces 
thereof, and in the direct support of military operations in 
Vietnam and if on temporary duty (TDY) in the area of 
responsibility (AOR) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive 
days. 

 

On 19 Apr 11, AFPC/DPAPP sent a letter to the applicant 
requesting documentation such as travel vouchers, evaluation 
reports, letters of evaluation, decorations, or other official 
military document that reflects that travel was completed and the 


inclusive periods of the travel; however he has not responded to 
this request. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states they were able to 
confirm “boots on the ground” at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, 
Taiwan, from 20 Sep 71 to 8 Apr 72. However, a review of his 
records failed to provide documents substantiating service in 
Vietnam. 

 

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that no official 
documentation was located or provided that verifies the applicant 
served in the Area of Responsibility (AOE) for award of the VSM. 
The Directorate of Assignments was unable to verify the applicant 
served in Vietnam. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant provides copies of envelopes that were post marked 
while he was in Vietnam. 

 

The applicant’s complete response 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 note the 
applicant provided post marked envelopes he states he mailed from 
Vietnam; however, this does not confirm service was, in fact 
performed in Vietnam. Other than his own assertions, and the 
post marked envelopes, the applicant has provided no documentary 
evidence that would establish his entitlement to the Vietnam 
Service Medal. Therefore, we agree with the opinions and 
recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary 
responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our 
conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error 
or injustice. 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 Docket Number 
BC-2011-00316 in Executive Session on 29 Jun 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Nov 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 19 Apr 11. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 2 May 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 May 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 15 Jun 11, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 

 



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