RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:	BC-2008-01947 INDEX CODE:	107.00
COUNSEL:	NONE HEARING DESIRED:	NO

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

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) which is listed on his DD Form 214; therefore, he is entitled to the VSM.

In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 2 November 1962 in the grade of airman basic. He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 February 1966. He served as an Aircraft Mechanic.

On 1 November 1966, the applicant was honorably released and transferred to the Air Force Reserves for completion of his MSO (1 November 1968). He served 4 years on active duty.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states the applicant failed to provide any documentation that substantiates time served in Vietnam. There is no evidence the applicant was TDY or assigned to this location.

The DPAPP complete evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that on 19 May 1997 the Department of Veterans Affairs requested entitlement to the VSM on behalf of the applicant. The applicant's request could not be verified at that time. On 29 May 1998, the Board denied the applicant's claim for entitlement as no Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or Thailand service could be found. On 10 July 1997, the applicant was advised that although his DD Form 214 did show entitlement to the AFEM, a deployment or assignment to the area of eligibility for the VSM could not be found in his official personnel records.

On 4 August 2008, AFPC/DPAPP requested the applicant provide documentation to show he served in Vietnam (i.e., travel vouchers, flight records, or TDY orders that show a specific time and location); however, he did not respond.  The applicant's DD Form 214 does show 3 months, 4 days of foreign service; however, neither DPAPP nor DPSIDR has been able to verify the applicant served in the area of responsibility in order to receive entitlement to the VSM.

The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 22 May 2009, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). 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	an	error	or	injustice.	The	
applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, after thoroughly reviewing his submission and the evidence of record, we found no evidence which would lead us to believe that he is entitled to the VSM. Therefore, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Forces 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.

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an 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.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-01947 in Executive Session on 17 September 2009, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair 
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-01947 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 19 May 2008, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Record.
Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 19 April 2009, w/atch. Exhibit D.	Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 30 April 2009.
Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 May 2009.