RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05604
	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  He be entitled to the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). 
(Administratively Corrected)

2.  He be entitled to the Air Force Longevity Service Award 
(AFLSA).

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He did not receive a medal for his service in Cam Ranh Bay, 
Vietnam from Dec 1965 through Oct 1966.  Moreover, he served his 
full enlistment and should receive the AFLSA for his service.

In support of his request the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of his AF Form 7, Airman Military Record; DD 
Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer 
or Discharge and NA Form 13059, Transmittal of and/or 
Entitlement to Awards.

His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 26 Dec 
1963 to 5 Dec 1967, for a total of 3 years, 11 months and 
10 days of active service.

The Air Force Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) will 
administratively correct the applicant’s record to reflect award 
of the VSM.

________________________________________________________________





AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for 
entitlement to the AFLSA.  DPSID states that he did not serve 
four years on active duty; therefore, he does not meet the award 
criteria.  To grant the applicant relief would be contrary to 
the eligibility criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of 
Military Decorations and Awards.  The AFLSA is awarded to all 
service members of the United States Air Force who complete four 
years of honorable active or reserve military service.  

DPSID was able to verify his entitlement to the VSM with three 
Bronze Service Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the 
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  Upon the final 
Board decision, administrative correction of his official 
military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR.

The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 24 Feb 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 
30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office (Exhibit D).

________________________________________________________________

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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We note the 
Air Force office of primary responsibility recommends denial, 
stating the applicant did not meet the criteria for award of the 
AFLSA.  However, after a thorough review of the evidence 
presented, we believe that relief is warranted.  In this 
respect, we note the regulation governing separations at the 
time had a provision that allowed airmen an “Early Release for 
Christmas” discharge.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects that 
he separated under this provision, therefore, we find that while 
the applicant did not complete the full four years of service, 
in the interest of justice we believe he separated early with 
the understanding that he would be entitled the AFLSA.  
Therefore, as an exception to policy, we recommend his records 
be corrected as indicated below.

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that as an exception 
to policy, competent authority awarded him the Air Force Longevity 
Service Award.
________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application 
in Executive Session on 27 Aug 2013, under the provisions of AFI 
36-2603:

    , Panel Chair
    , Member
    , Member

All members voted to correct the record as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR BC-2012-
05604 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 27 Nov 2012, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 11 Feb 2013, w/atch.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Feb 2013.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair