RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04289
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he served in Vietnam.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was on Temporary Duty (TDY) from Mactan Isle Airfield,
Philippines to Tan Son Nuht Air Base, Republic of Vietnam for
30 days in 1967. His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or
Discharge from Active Duty, reflects he was in Vietnam. He needs
documentation showing he was in-country in order to receive
veterans benefits for exposure to Agent Orange.
The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicants records reflect that he contracted his initial
enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 4 Aug 66. The applicant
retired on 1 Mar 86 and was credited with 20 years and 19 days of
active service, which included 4 years, 4 months, and 5 days of
foreign service.
The applicants performance reports reflect he was assigned to
the 463rd Field Maintenance Squadron, Mactan Isle Airfield,
Philippines from 4 Aug 66 to 23 Nov 67.
The applicants DD Form 214, dated 28 Feb 86, reflects he
received the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), Republic of Vietnam
Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGCN w/P), and the Republic of
Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCN).
On 16 Dec 11, AFPC/DPSIDR informed the applicant that his being
awarded the RVNGC w/P is not proof of service in Vietnam. The
RVNGC is awarded to units of the United States (US) Armed Forces
for combat achievement during Vietnam. This unit decoration is
awarded without regard to the physical location of the members of
the unit.
The VSM is awarded to service members of the Armed Forces who
served at any time between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, in Vietnam,
Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, their contiguous waters, or the
airspaces there over, and in direct support of operations in
Vietnam. In addition, the service member must have served on TDY
for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. These time
limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual
combat missions.
The RVCM is awarded to members of the US armed forces who, during
the period 1 Mar 61 through 28 Mar 73, served for six months in
South Vietnam, or served outside the geographical limits of South
Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of
Vietnam (RVN) Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only
those who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) (Vietnam) or the VSM during the period
of service are considered to have contributed direct combat
support the RVN Armed Forces.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPSIDR notes that since the VSM, RVNGC w/P, and the RVCM
are annotated on the applicants DD Form 214, there is no action
for them to take. None of the applicants Vietnam awards
required his actual presence in the Republic of Vietnam. The VSM
and RVCM could be awarded for service in Thailand, Cambodia, and
Laos. The RVNGC w/P was awarded to units that provided air
support in Vietnam from any geographic location.
The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
HQ AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial noting the decorations the
applicant received did not require his actual presence in
Vietnam; and based on the fact there was no documentation in his
records to reflect he served in Vietnam, they are unable to be
confirm boots on ground for Vietnam.
The complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the
applicant on 10 Feb 12, for review and comment within 30 days
(Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by
this office.
_________________________________________________________________
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 an error or injustice. After a
thorough review of the applicants submission and the evidence of
record we found it insufficient to conclude that he served or was
stationed in Vietnam. Although the applicant received the VSM
and RVCM, the award of these decorations did not require his
actual presence in Vietnam. In addition, there was no
documentation located or submitted that supports his presence in
Vietnam. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation
of the AFPC/DPAPP and adopt its rationale as the basis for our
decision the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof
of the existence 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 the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2011-04289 in Executive Session on 24 May 12, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2011-04289 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Forms 149, dated 27 Oct 11.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 19 Jan 12.
Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 26 Jan 12.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Feb 12.
Panel Chair
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