RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04801 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect his entitlement to the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) or a Badge reflecting his service during that era. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served honorably from 24 September 1959 to 16 August 1962. In support of his request the applicant submitted copies of his DD Form 214 and Air Force Discharge Review Board Hearing Record. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to documents extracted from his Military Personnel record (MPR), the applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who enlisted on 24 September 1959 and was released from active duty on 16 August 1962. Item 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized of his DD Form 214, does not reflect award of the VSM. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), created on 8 Jul 65, 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 the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereover and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam. The specific eligibility criteria requires a member to be attached to or directly serving for one or more days with an organization, or aboard a naval vessel, directly supporting military operations; actually participate as a crew member on one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; or serve on temporary duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, although these time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. However, no member may be issued both the AFEM and the VSM for service in Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID states after a complete review of the applicant’s military personnel record, they have verified his entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) and his record will be updated to reflect this award; however, they recommend denial of his claim for award of the VSM. They were unable to locate documentation verifying the applicant served in the areas of responsibility for award of the VSM. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), created on 8 Jul 65, 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 the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereover and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam. The specific eligibility criteria requires a member to be attached to or directly serving for one or more days with an organization, or aboard a naval vessel, directly supporting military operations; actually participate as a crew member on one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; or serve on temporary duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, although these time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. However, no member may be issued both the AFEM and the VSM for service in Vietnam. The complete DPSID evaluation is at exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 11 January 2013 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). To date, a response has not been received. ________________________________________________________________ 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. After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the criteria for the VSM, we find the applicant does not meet the criteria for eligibility to this medal. Moreover, no badge was issued for service during this era. The Air Force office of primary responsibility has determined the applicant is entitled to the National Defense Service Medal and has taken action to administratively corrected his record to reflect this medal. Therefore, in view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. ________________________________________________________________ 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 this application in Executive Session on 1 August 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-04801: Exhibit A. DD Form 149 dated 5 Sep 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 4 Jan 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jan 2013.