RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00231 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for his service in Taiwan. ________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in Southeast Asia (SEA) at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan, as a crew chief, in direct support of operations in Vietnam. 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 7 Feb 68 separation and other supporting documentation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force, on 8 Feb 64, for a period of four years. He was progressively promoted to the rank of sergeant (Sgt/E-4) with an effective date and Date of Rank (DOR) of 1 Feb 67. The applicant served at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan. He was honorably released from active duty, on 7 Feb 68, under the provisions of AFR 39-10, for expiration term of service (ETS). He was credited with four years of active duty service, including one year, one month, and one day of foreign service. The applicant’s record was administratively corrected to reflect “boots on ground,” in Taiwan. ________________________________________________________________ THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, stating, in part, no official documentation was located in the applicant’s master personnel record or provided by the applicant that verifies the applicant served in the Area of Eligibility (AOE) for entitlement to the award of the VSM. In addition, they noted the Directorate of Assignments (DOA) was unable to verify that the applicant met the eligibility requirement. The VSM 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 direct support of military operations in Vietnam. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In his response to the Air Force evaluation, the applicant highlights a letter he received from the DOA verifying his entitlement to “boots on ground,” in Thailand and the VSM. In addition, he notes that while serving in Taiwan, he was on temporary duty (TDY) to other countries in SEA, in support of the Vietnam War. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting corrective action. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, in judging the merits of the case. We note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility; nonetheless, after a review of the available record, it appears that while the applicant was assigned to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base his unit received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm, a decoration awarded by the Republic of Vietnam for valorous service. We believe that this provides creditable evidence that is consistent with the applicant’s statements and that any doubt should be resolved in his favor. In view of the above, we recommend the applicant be entitled to the award of the Vietnam Service Medal. 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 7 February 1968, Item 24, Decorations, Medal, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized be amended to reflect the Vietnam Service Medal. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-00231 in Executive Session on 1 September 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 12 Jan 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 21 Apr 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 11. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 13 May 11, w/atchs. Panel Chair