RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03528
		INDEX NUMBER:  107.00
	XXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  None

	XXX-XX-XXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) with two bronze service stars.

He be awarded the Bronze Star.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in the Southeast Asia Vietnam Advisory Campaign from     2 Mar 62 to 5 Oct 62.  His service during this period was creditable and award of the medals is justified.  The medals were not awarded in a timely manner due to excessive workload and administrative oversight.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

According to the applicant’s military personnel records, he first enlisted in the Air Force on 16 Jan 50.  He retired from the Air Force on 30 Jun 76 in the grade of master sergeant.  From 2 Mar 62 to 5 Oct 62, the period the applicant contends makes him eligible for the requested awards, the applicant was assigned to Detachment 1, 1961st Communications Group in Thailand.  Additional relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the evaluation prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force found at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request to be awarded the Bronze Star.  The Vietnam Service Medal has been added to his DD Form 214 in place of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

On 25 Nov 02, AFPC/DPPPR advised the applicant that he had been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his tour of duty in Thailand, but he could request to have it changed to the Vietnam Service Medal.  However, he would not be eligible for any bronze service stars since his unit was not credited with any campaign participation.  He was also advised of the requirement for a written recommendation, signed and endorsed, for the Bronze Star Medal to be considered.  The applicant was requested to determine whether he wanted the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal on his DD Form 214 and to withdraw his request for award of the Bronze Star Medal.  The applicant did not respond.

Since the applicant originally asked for award of the Vietnam Service Medal, they have deleted the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal from his 28 Jun 63 through 27 Jun 67 DD Form 214 and added the Vietnam Service Medal.  The applicant is not eligible for any bronze service stars to be added to his VSM since his unit was not credited with participation in any campaigns.  There is no indication in the applicant’s records that he was recommended for the Bronze Star Medal.

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 21 Feb 03 for review and comment within 30 days.  To date, a response has not been received.

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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 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 and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  We note that the applicant did not respond to the Air Force’s action to delete the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal from his DD Form 214 and to add the Vietnam Service Medal.  Consequently, we assume that this action meets with his approval.  In regard to his request for the award of the Bronze Star Medal, the applicant failed to provide any evidence that a written recommendation had ever been prepared on him.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, 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-2003-03528 in Executive Session on 15 April 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Oct 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 4 Feb 03, w/atch.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Feb 03.