RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01463
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His records be corrected to reflect entitlement to the 
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

2.  In the applicant’s rebuttal submission, he requests 
entitlement to the Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour (AFOR-
ST).

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have been awarded the VSM and other medals for his 
service in Vietnam and other locations.

He was stationed in the Philippines and was sent on temporary 
duty (TDY) to Vietnam on two different occasions.

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge; AF Form 626, Request and Authorization 
for Temporary Duty Military, and a Statement to Support Combat 
Zone Exclusion.  

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 27 Dec 
67 to 19 Jun 71.  His DD Form 214 reflects a total of 3 years,      
5 months, and 23 days of total active service with 1 year,       
2 months, and 5 days being Foreign Service.  

The VSM is awarded to all service 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 airspace 
thereof for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days and in 
direct support of military operations in Vietnam.

The AFOR-ST was authorized by the Chief of Staff, United States 
Air Force, 12 Oct 80, the ribbon is awarded to Air Force and Air 
Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas 
tour on or after 1 Sep 80.  [The applicant’s service was from   
27 Dec 67 to 19 Jun 71; therefore, he is not entitled to this 
ribbon.]

________________________________________________________________
_

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial.  DPSIDR states they were unable 
to find documentation to support the applicant served in the 
area of eligibility for the minimum time required for award of 
the VSM.

The applicant provided a TDY order dated 19 Aug 70, which 
indicates on 1 Sep 70 he was scheduled for assignment to 
Detachment 5, 621st Tactical Control Squadron, Nakhon Phanom, 
Thailand, for 45 days; with variations authorized; however, 
there is no evidence that would clearly substantiate his service 
time in Thailand.  

The “Statement to Support Combat Zone Exclusion” form, which 
suggests he served in a combat zone during September and October 
1970, does not specify the dates he served in Thailand or the 
location of his assignment.

The applicant has not provided documentation which would verify 
boots on the ground in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos or Cambodia.

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In the 1970’s a TDY order (AF Form 626), was the only official 
orders used.

He would like to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and 
does not have the proper medals.

On 1 Sep 70, he was sent TDY from Clark Air Base, Philippines, 
to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.  In route, he was detained in 
Bankok, Thailand, for one day.  While sitting in a C-130 near 
the cockpit, he heard on the radio that a base (Udorn) which is 
500 miles due south of Nakhon Phanom, was overrun by the Viet 
Cong.  

He performed as a radar operator while at Nakhon Phanom, until 
his 45 days were up.

While serving his 18-month tour at Clark Air Base, Philippines, 
his unit was shut down and he had to finish his tour in 
Kumejimia, Okinawa.

His orders clearly state he had orders to go to Nakhom Phanom, 
Thailand.

The 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.  After 
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the 
applicant’s contentions, we are not persuaded that his records 
should be corrected to reflect the VSM.  Although the applicant 
shared his memories, which the board respects, he provided no 
documentary evidence that would establish his entitlement to the 
VSM.  Without documentary evidence, 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.  In regard to the applicant’s request for 
the AFOR-ST, the applicant’s records indicate he was separated 
in 1971, before the AFOR-ST was authorized and is ineligible for 
award of the AFOR-ST.  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-2011-01463 in Executive Session on 11 Aug 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:



	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member


The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number 
BC-2011-01463 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Apr 11, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 16 May 11.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jun 11.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 6 Jul 11, w/atchs.



								
								Panel Chair

4


3