RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04137
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) be exchanged for the
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His coronary artery disease is associated with Agent Orange
herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam. The
Department of Defense guidance allows exchange of the AFEM for
the VSM. The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) does not
recognize the AFEM as proof of Vietnam service.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________ ______________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant initially entered the Air Force on 30 Dec 64.
On 29 Oct 68, the applicant was released from active duty and
was credited with 3 years and 10 months of active service, which
included one year, nine months, and three days of foreign
service.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of
primary responsibility, which are attached at Exhibits C and D.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of
an error or an injustice. A review of the applicants Master
Personnel Records and the documentation submitted failed to
substantiate any service time in Vietnam. The applicants
overseas service at Hickam Air Force Base (AFB), Hawaii (HI) and
a temporary duty assignment (TDY) to Mactan Air Base (AB),
Republic of the Philippines (PI) were verified.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of
an error or an injustice. Executive Order 11231 authorizes
Service members who earned the AFEM for service in Vietnam
between 1 Jul 58 and 4 Jul 65 to receive the VSM instead of the
AFEM. However, no Service member may have both medals for
service in Vietnam. The VSM is awarded to all members of the
U.S. Armed Forces who served between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 in
Vietnam and its contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand,
Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct
support of operations in Vietnam as a crewmember in one of more
aerial flights directly supporting military operations, or, for
30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. These
limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual
combat operations. After a thorough review of the applicants
official military personnel record, the applicant appears to
have served at Hickam AFB, HI with a TDY to Mactan AB, PI;
however, his records do not reflect any time served in Vietnam.
The applicant was awarded the AFEM, but his records did not
reveal the basis on which it was awarded. The AFEM has not been
authorized for service in either Hawaii or the Philippines.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 11 Jan 13 for review and comment within 30 days.
As of this date, no response has been received by this office
(Exhibit D).
________________________________________________________________
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. We took
notice of the applicants complete submission in judging the
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and
recommendation of AFPC/DPSID and adopt their rationale as the
basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim
of an error of injustice. While the applicant was awarded the
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and the AFEM, if awarded
for Vietnam service, can be exchanged for the VSM, the evidence
presented is not sufficient for us to conclude the applicant
earned the AFEM while serving in Vietnam. Therefore, in the
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to
recommend granting the relief.
________________________________________________________________
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-2012-04137 in Executive Session on 2 May 13, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, 30 Aug 12, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 7 Nov 12.
Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Jan 13.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jan 13.
Panel Chair
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