RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-04053 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be entitled to the award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), 
the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm (RVNGC, w/P), 
and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, with three devices. 

 

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

Based on his research while he was serving in the Air Force 
Reserve, he determined that he should be entitled to the 
requested awards. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in 
conjunction with his 1 Feb 73 release from active duty. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty from 2 May 69 to 1 Feb 73. 
He was credited with 3 years, 10 months, and 29 days of total 
service, including 1 year of foreign service. The applicant’s 
DD Form 214 reflects in Item 30, Vietnam – Yes. 

 

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THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, stating, in part, that no 
documentation was provided by the applicant or could be located 
to verify the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for 
award of the VSM; therefore the applicant is not eligible for 
the VSM or the RVCM. No documentation was provided by the 
applicant or located to verify the applicant served with a unit 
that was awarded the RVNGC, w/P. They were unable to find any 
documentation to support that the applicant served in the area 


of eligibility or for the minimum time required for award of the 
VSM or the RVCM. In addition, the only authorized device to the 
RVCM is a bar denoting the year of service, no other devices are 
authorized; therefore, the applicant is not eligible for three 
devices to the RVCM. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant reiterated his contention that he is entitled to 
the award of the VSM, the RVCM, and the RVNGC, w/P and provides 
additional documentation to substantiate his claim. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement; a copy of his Permanent Change of Station (PCS) 
orders to Vietnam; copies of two airman performance reports 
(APRs); a copy of a Report on Individual Personnel (RIP), and 
other supporting documents. 

 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit E. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting 
corrective action. Based on a careful review of the available 
evidence of record, including the documentation provided in the 
applicant’s response, we conclude the applicant is entitled to 
the award of the VSM, the RVCM, and the RVNGC, w/P. In this 
respect, we note, in his response to the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), he submits a copy of his PCS 
orders to Vietnam and two APRs, rendered for the periods; 
2 May 69 to 25 Jun 70 and 26 Jun 70 to 25 Dec 70. In addition, 
the Air Force Manual 900-1, reflects the unit the applicant was 
assigned to in Vietnam was the recipient of the RVNGC, w/P 
during his service in Vietnam. Therefore, we believe the 
applicant is entitled to the award of the VSM, the RVCM, and the 
RVNGC, w/P. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s record be 
corrected to the extent indicated below. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 


THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his 
DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, issued 1 Feb 73, Item 24, Decorations, 
Medal, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons 
Awarded or Authorized be amended to reflect the Vietnam Service 
Medal (VSM), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) and 
the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm, 
(RVNGC, w/P). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-04053 in Executive Session on 14 July 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Oct 10, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Available Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 26 Jan 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Feb 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 17 Feb 11, w/atchs.