RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-01078
      						COUNSEL: NO
                  				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be 
corrected to reflect his service in Vietnam and the appropriate 
campaign ribbons.  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The requested information is required by the Department of 
Veteran Affairs (DVA) to assist him with his veteran health 
benefits.  


In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of a 
Chronological Record of Medical Care indicating treatment at 
Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam.  

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
served on active duty from 23 July 1971 to 26 February 1974.  He 
was assigned to the 2129th Communications Squadron, Ching Chaun 
Kang Air Base, Taiwan, from 23 February 1973 to 22 February 
1974.  His DD Form 214 reflects he served two years, seven 
months, and four days on active duty with one year and one day 
of Foreign Service.  

After a thorough review of the applicant’s military personnel 
records, the Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of 
Assignments verified the applicant served at Ben Hoa Air Base, 
Republic of Vietnam, from 10 November 1972 to 3 January 1973, 
for 1 month, 25 days; and, at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan 
from 23 February 1973 to 22 February 1974, for one year; for a 
total foreign service of 1 year, 1 month, and 25 days.  Their 
office will correct the applicant’s record upon Board action.  

The remaining pertinent facts are contained in the evaluation by 
the office of primary responsibility at Exhibit C.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denying the applicant’s request for the 
Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).  DPSID states they after a 
thorough review of the applicant’s master personnel records and 
with assistance from the Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate 
of Assignments, they were able to verify to applicant’s 
entitlement to the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service 
Star (VSM w/1BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 
with Palm (RVNGC w/P), for his service at Bien Hoa Air Base, 
from 10 November 1972 to 3 January 1973.  However, they were 
unable to verify he served six months in the area of eligibility 
required for award of the VCM.  

The VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States who between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973, served for 
six months in South Vietnam during this period; or, served 
outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed 
direct support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces or an 
aggregate of six months.  Only members of the United States 
Armed Forces who meet the criteria established for the Armed 
Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) or the Vietnam Service 
Medal during a period of service required are considered to have 
contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam 
Armed Forces.  

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 19 May 2013, for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, this office has received no 
response.

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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 in regard to the 
VCM.  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 office of primary 
(OPR) responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for 
our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an 
error or injustice in regard to award of the VCM.  However, we 
concur with the Air Force OPR’s findings to administratively 
correct the applicant’s record to reflect award of the VSM 
w/1BSS, RVNGC w/P, and foreign service adjustment from 1 year 
and 1 day to 1 year, 1 month, and 25 days.  Therefore, in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the applicant’s request for award of the VCM.

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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-2013-01078 in Executive Session on 3 December 2013, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	                       , Panel Chair
	                       , Member
	                       , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection 
with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-01078:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 27 Feb 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 13 May 13.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 May 13.




                     
Panel Chair