RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:  				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01458
								INDEX CODE:  113.00
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX			COUNSEL: XXXXX

	XXX-XX-XXXX					HEARING DESIRED: NO 

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect service time in the Philippines and Vietnam and he be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) or Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) along with any other related awards and decorations.

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was issued side arms for flights made to Ben Hoa Air Base, Vietnam and he was TDY to Clark Air Base, Philippines.  He needs his records to reflect award of the AFEM or VSM and RVCM for a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and to be eligible to run for the post of Commander with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization.

In support of his application, the applicant provides a personal statement, a statement from his spouse, copies of correspondence from him and his VFW State Service Officer to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) requesting the applicant’s records, an informaton sheet on the AFEM, and a copy of his promotion order.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

___________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 29 August 1952, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army at the age of 17 in the grade of private for a period of three years.  He was released from active duty and enlisted in the Army Reserves on 3 June 1955.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, Report of Separation From the Armed Forces of the United States, from the Army reflects 1 year 7 months and 26 days of foreign service (his records indicate he was stationed in Japan from 2 October 1953 through 19 May 1955).  On 28 February 1958, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force at the age of 23 in the grade of airman third class (E-2) for a period of four years.  He was progressively promoted to the rank of staff sergeant (E-5) effective and with a date of rank of 1 October 1965.  The applicant was honorably discharged effective 27 April 1966 for completion of term of service.  His DD Form 214 indicates his awards include the Air Force Longevity Service Award with one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Small Armed Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; and National Defense Service Medal.  He had served 10 years, 9 months and 5 days on active duty.

Documents provided by the applicant indicate he has subsequent service with the Army National Guard from 1971 to 1981 and in the Regular Army from 1 December 1981 until 31 May 1991, when he was relieved from active duty and retired in the grade of sergeant major (E-9), effective 1 June 1991.

___________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP2 recommends the application be denied.  There are no documents in the applicant’s Master Personnel Records that show specific locations or time of service in Vietnam or Philippines.  The applicant was asked to provide verifying documentation for any type of temporary duty (TDY) or assignment to Vietnam or Philippines; however, the applicant did not furnish any.  The DPAPP2 evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPR recommends disapproval of the applicant’s request for award of the Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  DPPPR states the applicant did not provide any details or documents to substantiate he was overseas.  Neither of his two DD Forms 214s from his Air Force career shows any foreign service.  The applicant signed both forms as being correct at the time.  DPPPR states without any documentation showing he was TDY to Vietnam or Thailand for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days for award of the Vietnam Service Medal or Air Force Expeditionary Medal or for six months for an award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, they were unable to verify his eligibility for any of the awards.  The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit D 

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 15 August 2003, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response. 
____________________________________________________________________

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 available records, we found no evidence that the individual is eligible for the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, or the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  The applicant did not provide any documentary evidence to substantiate his claim.  There is no indication in his records that he was deployed or TDY to Vietnam or the Philippine Islands, or that he was recommended for, or awarded, the requested decorations.  In the absence of such evidence we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 

_________________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 1 October 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-01458:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Apr 03, with attachments.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 17 Jul 03. 
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Aug 03. 
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Aug 03. 

									
									Panel Chair