RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04750 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His record be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following: 

 

 a. The Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). 

 

 b. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) with one 
Bronze Service Star (BSS). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

1. He is entitled to the VCM due to his service in Vietnam. He 
already has the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service 
Stars (VSM w/4 BSS). One of his TDYs to Vietnam was extended 
for a total of 120 days, which gave him a total of over six 
months in Vietnam. 

 

2. He is entitled to the AFEM w/1BSS for his service in Korea 
because he deployed to Korea on two different occasions. He 
already has the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). 

 

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

 

_________________ ______________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant initially entered the Air Force on active duty on 
10 May 68. 

 

On 7 May 72, the applicant was honorably discharged for the 
convenience of the Government and was credited with 3 years, 11 
months, and 28 days of total active service, to include 2 years, 
10 months, and 14 days for foreign service. 

 

On 21 Jun 13, the AFPC/DPSIR issued a DD Form 215, Correction of 
DD Form 214, correcting the applicant’s records to reflect he 
was awarded the AFEM (Korea) and AFOUA w/V & 3BOLC. 


The Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) is the Republic of Vietnam’s 
own version of the VSM and is a separate foreign award that was 
authorized by the Department of Defense for acceptance and wear 
by Service members. There is no prohibition from Service 
members being awarded both the VSM and VCM. The VCM is awarded 
to members of the armed forces of the United States who: 1) 
Served for six months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 
61 to 28 Mar 73; 2) Served outside the geographical limits of 
South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN 
armed forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of 
the armed forces of the United States who meet the criteria 
established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or VSM during the period of 
service required are considered to have contributed direct 
combat support to the RVN armed forces; 3) Did not complete the 
length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, 
during wartime, were: a) wounded by the enemy (in a military 
action); b) captured by the enemy during action or in the line 
of duty, but later rescued or released; c) killed in action or 
in the line of duty; 4) Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, 
and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during 
the period 29 Jan to 28 Mar 73. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR) which is included at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the 
VCM indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. 
The VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States who, between 4 Jul 64 and 28 Mar 73, served six months in 
South Vietnam; or served outside the geographical limits of 
South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the 
Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. 
According to the Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate of 
Assignments, the applicant served in the area of eligibility for 
4 months and 15 days, rendering him ineligible for award of the 
VCM. There is no documentation in the applicant’s record, nor 
did he submit any evidence, which indicates he served the six 
months required to qualify for the VCM. The AFEM is normally 
awarded only for operations for which no other United States 
campaign medal is approved. The applicant qualifies for the 
AFEM by reason of service between 1 Oct 66 and 30 Jun 74, in an 
area for which the KDSM was subsequently authorized, and is 
eligible for both the AFEM and KDSM as a one-time exception to 
policy. However, to be eligible for a bronze service star for 
the AFEM he would have had to serve in another operation outside 
the area of eligibility in Korea. After a thorough review of 
the applicant’s official records, the applicant is qualified for 
award of the AFOUA w/V & 3BOLC. The applicant’s DD Form 214 
will be administratively corrected to add the AFEM and two 


additional BOLCs to his AFOUA, but not the requested VCM or the 
bronze service star for the AFEM. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 24 Jun 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 with respect 
to the applicant’s requests for the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) 
and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1OLC). 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 (OPR) and adopt 
its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has 
not been the victim of an error of injustice. We note the 
applicant’s records are being administratively corrected to 
reflect the award of the AFEM (basic award) and credit him with 
two additional BOLCs for his AFOUA. Therefore, in the absence 
of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend 
granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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-2012-04750 in Executive Session on 25 Jul 13, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 Panel Chair 

 Member 

 Member 

 

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-04750 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Oct 12, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 21 Jun 13. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 24 Jun 13. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair