RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-03773	
	
		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 his entitlement 
to the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for his support at Clark Air 
Base (AB), as well as all additional unit awards.  

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He requests all awards, presented to his unit, to which he is 
entitled.  


The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at 
exhibit A. 

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
served from 1 November 1962 through 31 October 1966.  He was 
trained and served as an Aircraft Electrical Repairman and was 
progressively promoted to the rank of Airman First Class (A1C), 
E-4.  He was released from active duty service with an honorable 
character of service and credited with completing 4 years of 
service which included 9 months and 19 days of Foreign Service.

The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), created on 8 Jul 65, 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 thereover and in the direct 
support of military operations in Vietnam.  The specific 
eligibility criteria requires a member to be attached to or 
directly serving for one or more days with an organization, or 
aboard a naval vessel, directly supporting military operations; 
actually participate as a crew member on one or more aerial 
flights directly supporting military operations; or serve on 
temporary duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive 
days, although these time limitations may be waived for 
personnel participating in actual combat operations. However, no 
member may be issued both the AFEM and the VSM for service in 
Vietnam.  

________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

1.  AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the request for award of the 
VSM.  DPSID states there is no documentation in the applicant’s 
records verifying the applicant met the criteria for award of 
the Vietnam Service Medal.  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:  
Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, 
Laos or Cambodia or the airspace there-over and in direct 
support of military operations in Vietnam for 30 consecutive 
days or 60 nonconsecutive days.  

2.  After a thorough review of the applicant's official military 
personnel record, they were able to verify the following list of 
all awards and decorations which the applicant earned during his 
active duty service.  

	a. Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)

	b. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA)

	c. Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM)

	d. National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)

	e. Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA)

Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the 
applicant's official military personnel record will be completed 
by AFPC/DPSOY.  

The complete DPSID evaluation is at exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In response the applicant provided a handwritten note on the 
bottom of the SAF/MRBR letter sent to him on 23 October 2012, 
reiterating his contention that he served at Clark Air Base in 
direct support of Vietnam campaigns.  He also states others have 
received the VSM for their service at Clark AB.

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 with regard to 
the applicant’s request for award of the VSM.  We took notice of 
the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the 
case; however, 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 relief beyond 
that already granted administratively is not warranted. 
Therefore, we find no basis to favorably consider 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 this application 
in Executive Session on 16 May 2013, under the provisions of AFI 
36-2603:

			, Panel Chair
      , Member
			, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR 
Docket Number BC-2012-03773:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149 w/atch, dated 31 July 2012.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 9 October 2012.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 October2012.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 5 November 2012.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair




AFBCMR
1500 West Perimeter Road, Suite 3700
Joint Base Andrews NAF Washington, MD 20762




Dear:

	Reference your application submitted under the provisions of AFI 36-2603 (Section 1552, 
10 USC), AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03773. 

	After careful consideration of your application and military records, the Board determined 
that the evidence you presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice.  
Accordingly, the Board denied your application.

	You have the right to submit newly discovered relevant evidence for consideration by the 
Board.  In the absence of such additional evidence, a further review of your application is not 
possible.

	BY DIRECTION OF THE PANEL CHAIR




				                                   
				                                   Chief Examiner
				                                   Air Force Board for Correction
				                                   of Military Records

Attachment:
Record of Board Proceedings






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