RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00316 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge be corrected to reflect entitlement to the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served on active duty in Vietnam for 59 days from Dec 71 to Feb 72. He had prostrate cancer which is secondary to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, two photos of him in Vietnam, and a SF Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served on active duty in the Air Force from 28 Jun 68 to 8 Apr 72. His DD Form 214 reflects a total 3 years, 6 months, and 4 days of total active service; with 1 year, 6 months, and 10 days being Foreign Service. The VSM is awarded to all 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 airspaces thereof, and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam and if on temporary duty (TDY) in the area of responsibility (AOR) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. On 19 Apr 11, AFPC/DPAPP sent a letter to the applicant requesting documentation such as travel vouchers, evaluation reports, letters of evaluation, decorations, or other official military document that reflects that travel was completed and the inclusive periods of the travel; however he has not responded to this request. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states they were able to confirm “boots on the ground” at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan, from 20 Sep 71 to 8 Apr 72. However, a review of his records failed to provide documents substantiating service in Vietnam. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit B. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that no official documentation was located or provided that verifies the applicant served in the Area of Responsibility (AOE) for award of the VSM. The Directorate of Assignments was unable to verify the applicant served in Vietnam. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant provides copies of envelopes that were post marked while he was in Vietnam. The applicant’s complete response 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We note the applicant provided post marked envelopes he states he mailed from Vietnam; however, this does not confirm service was, in fact performed in Vietnam. Other than his own assertions, and the post marked envelopes, the applicant has provided no documentary evidence that would establish his entitlement to the Vietnam Service Medal. 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. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of 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-2011-00316 in Executive Session on 29 Jun 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Nov 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 19 Apr 11. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 2 May 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 May 11. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 15 Jun 11, w/atchs. Panel Chair