RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04655 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded: 1. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 2. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: While assigned to Okinawa, Japan during the period Mar 66 through Jul 67, he flew into Vietnam as part of his C-130 Crew Chief duties. He flew to Cam Ranh Bay, Quy Nahn, and other locations in Vietnam that he can no longer remember. He received Combat Pay for the time he spent in Vietnam. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served on active duty during the period 13 Mar 64 through 26 Jan 68. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) which are included at Exhibits C and D. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. A review of the applicant’s Master Personnel Records and documentation submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiate foreign service time in Vietnam. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicant’s requests for the VSM and the RVCM, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who, between 1 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, served in the following areas: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace, in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or in the airspace thereof and in direct support of military operations in Vietnam for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. The RVCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served for six months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 to 28 Mar 73. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant submitted an expanded statement claiming he was also assigned on temporary duty (TDY) to Thailand for approximately 7 months in direct support of military operations. He was assigned to Ubon Air Force Base, Thailand in 1966 for five months, and Bangkok, Thailand for a 60-day period ending in early 1967. He also received flight pay and combat pay while flying missions from Ubon AFB, Thailand to North Vietnam in the squadron called the “Blue Bats.” A review of his pay records should reveal how often he received flight and combat pay (Exhibit F). ________________________________________________________________ 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. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in 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 the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04655 in Executive Session on 24 May 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Nov 11. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 9 Jan 12. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 23 Jan 12. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Feb 12. Exhibit R. Letter, Applicant, dated 23 Feb 12.