RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-03303
		INDEX CODE:	107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was assigned temporary duty (TDY) to Vietnam for 60 days.

In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
 
His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant’s military personnel records reflect he enlisted on active duty on 2 July 1965. 

On 25 June 1969, he was honorably discharged in the grade of sergeant (E-4).  He served 3 years, 11 months and 24 days on active duty.

The Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP states based on their review of his personnel record, they could not find any documents showing he was TDY or assigned to Vietnam.  His assignment history shows his overseas assignment was to Yokota Air Base, Japan from 2 July 1967 to 24 June 1969.  DPAPP assumes he does not have any additional information because he did not respond to their request asking for orders.

The complete DPAPP evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial.  DPSIDR states after a thorough review of the applicant's military records, they are unable to verify the applicant was in Vietnam.  The Office of Directorate of Assignments requested additional information to verify his assignment to Vietnam, he did not respond to the request.  His records do show overseas assignments to Japan and Korea.  He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for Korea.  His Airman Performance Reports (APR) do not make any reference to a TDY in Vietnam during his tour of duty to Japan.  

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is attached 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 29 February 2008 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response (Exhibit E).

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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.  After a thorough review of the available evidence of record and finding no evidence of service in Vietnam, we are not persuaded his records should be corrected to show he was awarded the VSM.  Therefore, 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.  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 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.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-03303 in Executive Session on 6 May 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 October 2007.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C   HQ AFPC/DPAPP, dated 18 January 2008.
    Exhibit D   HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 25 January 2008.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 February 2008.