RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01068 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. His records be corrected to show his entitlement to the 
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

2. His records be corrected to reflect additional Foreign 
Service, and his service in Vietnam (Will be Administratively 
Corrected). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

While on temporary duty (TDY) to Taiwan, he was responsible for 
all aircraft supplies for Taiwan and Vietnam. He flew in an out 
of Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, and served two six month tours in 
Vietnam. 

 

In support of the appeal, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer 
or Discharge, and extracts from his military personnel records. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 5 Oct 62 and 
was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant. On 
10 Nov 66, he was released from active duty for (Expiration of 
Term of Service) with service characterized as honorable. He 
served a total of 3 years, 11 months, and 29 days of active 
service. 

 

On 12 Jun 10, AFPC/DPAPP verified the applicant’s Foreign Service 
time to be one year, ten months five days, and that he had “boots 
on ground” in Vietnam. However, they were unable to determine 
how long the applicant served in Vietnam. 

 

The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), created on 8 Jul 65, is awarded 
to all service members of the Armed Forces who, between 4 Jul 65 
and 28 Mar 73, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: 


in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, 
Laos or Cambodia or the airspace there over and while the AFPC 
website incorrectly indicates “or”] in the direct support of 
military operations in Vietnam. The specific eligibility 
criteria requires a member to be attached to or directly serving 
for one or more days with an organization, or aboard a naval 
vessel, directly supporting military operations; actually 
participate as a crew member on one or more aerial flights 
directly supporting military operations; or serve on temporary 
duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, although 
these time limitations may be waived for personnel participating 
in actual combat operations. However, no member may be issued 
both the AFEM and the VSM for service in Vietnam. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that since 
AFPC/DPAPP is unable to establish the exact dates the applicant 
had boots on ground in Vietnam, they are unable to verify his 
entitlement to the VSM. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 30 Jul 10, for review and comment within 30 days. As of this 
date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 regarding the 
applicant’s request for award of the VSM. 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 (OPR) and adopt 
its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has 
not been the victim of an error or injustice regarding the VSM. 
We note the applicant’s records will be corrected to reflect that 


he served one year, ten months, and five days Foreign Service, 
and that he had “boots on ground” in Vietnam. In the absence of 
persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend any further relief. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of a 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-
2010-01068 in Executive Session on 4 Nov 10, under the provisions 
of AFI 36-2603: 


The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 Mar 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 1 Jul 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 Jul 10.