RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01393
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He receive the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) or the Vietnam
Campaign Medal (VCM) for his service in Vietnam.
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was sent on a Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to Vietnam for
90 days.
The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider
his untimely application because he was unaware he could request
these medals.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 31 Jan 62, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force.
According to his AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, he had boots
on the ground at Kadena AB, Okinawa.
On 28 Jan 66, the applicant received an honorable discharge. He
was credited with 3 years, 11 months and 25 days of active
service. He had 1 year, 5 months and 4 days of foreign service.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP was able to confirm
foreign-service boots on the ground in Okinawa from 11 Jul 62 to
14 Dec 63. However, after a review of his Master Personnel
Records and documentation submitted, they were unable to confirm
any foreign-service in Vietnam.
The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for the award of the VSM.
They were unable to locate official documentation, and the
applicant did not provide any, verifying he served in Vietnam,
Laos, Cambodia or Thailand, or entered the airspace thereof.
Although the applicant states he served 90 days within the area
of eligibility, they were unable to locate documentation
verifying the applicant served in the area of eligibility for
the VSM.
DPSID also recommends disapproval of the award of the VCM.
There is no official documentation in the applicants records to
verify he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of
6 months for award of the VCM. In additional, the Air Force
Personnel Center, Directorate of Assignments verified the
applicant as having served at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, but they
were unable to confirm any foreign-service in Vietnam;
therefore, rendering him ineligible for award of the VCM.
The VSM is awarded to all members of the United States Armed
Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace
after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 73. In additional, personnel
serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of
operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were
eligible for the VSM. To be eligible, a service member must be:
permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more,
days with an organization participating in or directly
supporting ground (military) operations; permanently assigned,
attached, or detailed for one, or more days aboard a naval
vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually
participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights
directly supporting military operations; have served on
temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days.
Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating
in actual combat operations.
The VCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces
who, between 1 Mar 61 and 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 Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months.
Only members of the United States Armed Forces who meet the
criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or
the VSM during the period of service required are considered to
have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of
Vietnam Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length of service
required, but who, during wartime, were: wounded by the enemy
(in a military action), captured by the enemy during action or
in the line of duty, but later rescued or released, killed in
action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on
28 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between
29 Jan 73-28 Mar 73.
The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D.
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the
applicant on 23 Nov 14 for review and comment within 30 days
(Exhibit D). 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. We took
notice of the applicants 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 the
applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find
no basis to recommend granting the requested 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 documentary evidence pertaining to FBCMR Docket
Number BC-2014-01393 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 31 Mar 14, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 17 Jul 14.
Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Nov 14.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Nov 14.
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY PRIVACY ACT OF 1974
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