RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-02998
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

2.  His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect all of his medals and awards.  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

While stationed at Clark AB, PI, he was assigned courier duties and went to Vietnam on numerous occasions between 1967 and 1968 and was there for 2 -4 days each trip.

In support of his request, applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214 and a copy of his service record.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 22 Jan 48.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Jun 67.  Applicant was assigned to Clark AB, PI, from 26 Oct 66 through 4 Jun 68.  He was voluntarily retired from the Air Force on 1 Jun 69.  He served 20 years, 7 months, and 4 days on active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP2 recommends denial.  DPAPP2 states that there are no documents in his master personnel record that support his request.  Applicant was asked to review his personal records to see if he might have any documents that could be used to support his claim he was in Vietnam.  He did not respond to the request.  The DPAPP2 evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPR states that there is nothing in his record to indicate that he was in Vietnam and he did not provide any documentation to substantiate his claim.  The VSM is awarded to service members who were on temporary duty (TDY) in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.  

With respect to his request to correct his DD Form 214, DPPPR states that his DD Form 214 is correct, as it lists only the awards earned during that period of service.  The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 22 Nov 02 and 7 Mar 03 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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.  We thoroughly reviewed the applicant's submission and the available evidence of record and do not find evidence which would lead us to believe that he meets the requirements for award of the VSM.  Regarding his request that his DD Form 214 be amended to include all of his medals and awards, it appears that during the time period in which he served, the DD Form 214 was issued at the end of each period of service.  Decorations and awards earned during those particular periods were the only ones authorized for annotation on the DD Form 214.  Therefore, it is our opinion that his records are correct.  Accordingly, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  We are not unmindful or unappreciative of his service to his Nation.  Should he secure supporting documentation to show that he meets the requirements for award of the VSM, the Board would reconsider his application.  In the absence of such evidence, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2002-02998 in Executive Session on 6 May 03, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 Sep 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 14 Nov 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Nov 02.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 26 Feb 03.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Mar 03.