RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03080 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His record be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Vietnam 
Campaign Medal. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He flew surveillance missions in Vietnamese air space and 
received combat and tax free pay and allowances. The pilots 
that flew these missions were assigned to Omaha Air Base [sic], 
Nevada and they were awarded this decoration. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant is a former member of the Air Force who honorably 
retired on 1 September 1991. 

 

The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded to members of 
the Armed Forces of the United States who between March 1, 1961 
and March 28, 1973: 

 

a. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 


indicated above. 

 

b. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam 
and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces 
for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces 
of the United States who meet the criteria established for the 
AFEM (Vietnam) or the Vietnam Service Medal during the period of 
service required are considered to have contributed direct 
combat support to the RVN Armed Forces. 


 

c. Did not complete the required length of service but who, 
during wartime, were: 

 

1. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action). 


2. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line 
of duty, but later rescued or released. 

 

3. Killed in action or in the line of duty. 

 

4. Were assigned in Vietnam on January 28, 1973, and 
who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the 
period January 29, 1973 to March 28, 1973. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. A review of the applicant’s 
master personnel record and the submitted documentation failed 
to substantiate Foreign Service in Vietnam. However, they were 
able to verify his foreign service in the Republic of Korea, 
Japan, Turkey and Germany. 

 

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The Vietnam Campaign Medal is 
awarded to service members of the Armed Forces who between 
1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973, served for 6 months in Vietnam 
during this period; served outside the geographical limits of 
South Vietnam and contributed to the direct combat support to 
the Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of 6 months. 

 

After a thorough review of the applicant’s military record, 
DPSID could not verify any service in Vietnam or the surrounding 
airspace during the inclusive period. There is insufficient 
evidence to support the applicant’s entitlement to Vietnam 
Campaign Medal. 

 

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 23 October 2012, for review and comment within 
30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received 
no response. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. After 
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the 
applicant’s contentions, we find no basis to correct the 
applicant’s records to reflect his entitlement to the Republic 
of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVNCM). Although the applicant 
contends that he flew surveillance missions in Vietnamese air 
space, he provides no evidence to substantiate that he meets any 
of the eligibility criterion for entitlement to the RVNCM. 
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find 
no basis to grant 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 BCMR Docket Number 
BC-2012-03080 in Executive Session on 5 March 2013, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 Panel Chair 

 Member 

 Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 Jul 12, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 2 Aug 12. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 9 Oct 12. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Oct 12. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair