RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03843 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

While serving in the Regular Air Force, he made a number of 
aerial flights into the Republic of Vietnam in support of 
military operations. Although the missions originated and 
terminated in the CONUS, his aircraft and crew members were 
exposed to hostile actions while on the ground in Vietnam. 

 

The evidence submitted in support of the appeal is at Exhibit A. 

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The VSM criterion: The VSM was created by Executive Order 11213, 
8 Jul 65. It 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 contiguous 
waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the 
airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations 
in Vietnam. 

 

The relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained 
in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air 
Force which are located at Exhibits B and C. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP reviewed this application and recommends denial. The 
applicant’s personnel file does not reflect any time served in 
Vietnam. 


 

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. Although the applicant asserts he 
entered Vietnam on a “number” of flights, DPSIDR was unable to 
locate any official documents to support his claim. Furthermore, 
as an non-crewmember, the applicant needed to serve 60 non-
consecutive days in Vietnam in order to qualify for the VSM. 

 

The complete DPISDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 16 Dec 11 for review and response. As of this date, 
no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 

 

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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 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 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 

 

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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. 

 

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-03843 in Executive Session on 23 Feb 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 



 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 Aug 11, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 10 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 5 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 16 Dec 11.