RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2005-00373
		INDEX CODE:	107.00
	XXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	XXXXXXXXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  6 AUG 2006

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served four months temporary duty (TDY) in Okinawa, Korea, Taipei, Guam, Johnson Island, Hawaii, Philippines and Vietnam.  He believes that the time he served in Guam, Philippines and in Vietnam qualifies him for award of the VSM.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of a letter from his Congressman and Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman basic on 18 July 1960 for a period of 4 years.  During the period in question, he was an airman first class serving as a Telephone Installation Team member at Tachikawa, AB, Japan.

He was discharged with an Honorable Discharge on 7 July 1964.  He had 3 years, 11 months and 20 days of total active Service.  

His DD Form 214 reflects award of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, 1 year, 5 months and 26 days Foreign Service.

On 27 July 2001, the applicant requested his records be corrected to show he received the VSM and the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.  On 6 November 2001, he was notified by AFPC/DPPPRA that the documentation he provided did not show that he was TDY in Vietnam for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or stationed in Vietnam for six months.  He did not provide any documentation to show that he was wounded as a direct result of enemy action and they could not verify his eligibility for the PH or the VSM.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP states that the applicant does not have any documents that support his claim for TDYs to Vietnam.  In addition, his master personnel record confirms there are no travel vouchers of TDY orders or any other documents that show any TDY into Vietnam.  He has already been advised by the Defense Finance Accounting Service that they only keep copies of a member’s pay record for six years and three months.  His pay record was destroyed according to their policy.

The AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 18 Feb 2005 for review and comment within 30 days.  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 error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the available evidence, the Board is not persuaded that the applicant is entitled to the award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  The Board agrees with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopts its rationale as the basis for their conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Board finds 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 Docket Number BC-2005-00373 in Executive Session on 26 April 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Panel Chair
			XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member
			XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 25 Jan 05.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 15 Feb 05.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Feb 05.

	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
	Panel Chair