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AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-04125
Original file (BC-2011-04125.txt) Auto-classification: Approved
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04125 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His record be corrected to reflect his entitlement to the 
following: 

 

 1) The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

 2) The Air Medal (AM) (Administratively resolved). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

From 1966 to 1969, he served as a C-141 Loadmaster, Travis AFB, 
CA. His aircrew duties took him into Vietnam on multiple 
occasions. He was separated before his records were properly 
updated. 

 

He was awarded the Air Medal on 29 Jan 68, but it is not 
reflected on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, reserve retirement orders, Citation for The Air 
Medal, two witness statements, and an unofficial award for his 
duties on one extended C-141A mission. 

 

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

 

_________________ ______________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

According to the applicant’s military personnel records, he 
enlisted in the Air Force on 12 Sep 65, served on active duty 
until his honorable discharge on 22 Jan 69, and was credited 
with 3 years, 4 months, and 11 days of active duty, which 
included three months and six days of foreign service. 

 

The VSM is awarded to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces 
serving at any time between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, in Vietnam, 
its contiguous waters, or the airspace there-over, and in direct 


support of operations in Vietnam. To be eligible, a Service 
member must: 1) be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed 
for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or 
directly supporting ground (military) operations; 2) have 
actually participated as a crew member in one of more aerial 
flights directly supporting military operations; 3) have served 
on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive 
days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel 
participating in actual combat operations. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of 
the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibit C and D. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP concluded that his Master Personnel Records and the 
documentation he submitted failed to identify any documents that 
substantiate foreign service in Vietnam. His records do 
indicate that he was deployed to Southeast Asia, and was sent on 
temporary duty (TDY) from 17 Mar 66 to 21 Oct 66, but does not 
specifically indicate Vietnam. It is highly likely with the 
applicant being a C-141 Loadmaster that his duties required him 
to make frequent trips to Vietnam. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of award of the VSM. While the 
applicant’s record indicates that he provided in-flight services 
to passengers/troops and he was credited foreign service for at 
least two extensive TDYs, and noting that he has provided two 
witnesses statements attesting to his service, after considering 
the recommendation from DPAPP and the preponderance of the 
evidence indicating the applicant was present in Vietnam on more 
than one occasion, they must recommend denial given that they 
are unable to prove he participated in one of more aerial 
flights directly supporting military operations or that he 
satisfied the 30/60 day requirement. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 13 Jan 12 for review and comment within 30 days. 
As of this date, no response has been received by this office 
(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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. We note the 
comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
indicating their review of the applicant’s Master Personnel 
Records did not positively verify the applicant’s presence in 
Vietnam; however, we believe the supporting witness statements 
and documentation provided establishes a reasonable basis to 
conclude the applicant served in Vietnam. Therefore, we find 
the evidence provided is sufficient to resolve any doubt in 
favor of the applicant. In recognition of his service to the 
Nation, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as 
indicated below. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was 
awarded The Vietnam Service Medal. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-04125 in Executive Session on 24 Apr 2012, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Dec 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPAPP, dated 15 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 3 Jan 12. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Jan 12. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 



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