RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00188
COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM).
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
1. His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, was corrected to reflect he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for his service in Vietnam.
2. He provided support of operations in Vietnam, as an Avionics instrument systems specialist on C-130 aircraft, while stationed at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicants military personnel records indicate that he commenced his active duty service on 5 July 1966.
On 8 November 1969, the applicant was honorably discharged from the Air Force and was credited with 3 years, 4 months, and
4 days of total active service.
On 18 June 1986, pursuant to an application for Correction of Military Records, the applicant was awarded the VSM and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one oak leaf cluster.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating the inability to locate any documentation in the applicants official military personnel
record verifying service in Vietnam for an aggregate of six months in the area of responsibility for award of the RVCM. The RVCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served for six months in South Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973, or served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to Vietnam for an aggregate of six months. Only members who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) or the VSM during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. Although the applicant was awarded the VSM there is no evidence supporting he contributed direct combat support of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoD 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant argues that he has met the requirements for the award of the RVCM. As shown on his DD Form 214, he was credited with 6 months and 27 days of foreign service. His foreign service was provided in Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan, Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam, and Mactan Air Base, Philippines, as reflected on his temporary duty orders, performance report, and letter of evaluation. During his service, he provided maintenance on the C-130 mission aircraft used in support of Vietnam. Therefore, his record clearly shows he has met the aggregate of six months service in the area of responsibility, meeting the criteria set for the RVCM.
A complete copy of the applicants 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. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicants complete submission, to include his response to the Air Force advisory opinion, 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 or injustice. The applicant contends he is entitled to the Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) because he was credited with 6 months and 27 days of foreign service. However, award of the RVCM requires an aggregate of six months in direct combat support of Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. The documentation submitted by the applicant is insufficient to establish an aggregate of six months direct combat support of Vietnam. In order for us to find that he met the criteria for award of the RVCM, we must conclude that his entire duration of his assignment in Taiwan was spent directly supporting operations in Vietnam. However, there is no evidence for us to consider in determining which parts of his service in Taiwan were in direct support of combat operations in Vietnam. Therefore, 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-2013-00188 in Executive Session on 31 October 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 January 2013, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 March 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 April 2013.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 6 April 2013, w/atchs.
Panel Chair
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