RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-01981
			COUNSEL:  NONE
			HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand from Mar to Nov 1975.

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty and AF Form 899, Request and Authorization for Permanent 
Change of Station (PCS) – Military. 

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 1 Oct 83, the applicant retired from the Air Force after 
serving 21 years, 11 months and 17 days of active service.  

The VSM 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: Vietnam and the contiguous waters and 
airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace there 
over 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, directly supporting military operations; or 
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. However, these time limitations may be waived for 
personnel participating in actual combat operations. 

DPSID was able to verify that the applicant should have been 
awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Silver 
Service Star and one Bronze Service Star (AFOUA w/1SSS and 1BSS) 
and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) during his service 
from 12 Jul 66 to 30 Sep 83.  DPSOR will administratively 
correct his records to reflect the awards.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force which is at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial.  The applicant’s dates of service 
in Thailand (Dec 74 to Nov 75) are after the inclusive dates for 
award of the VSM; therefore, he is ineligible for the award of 
the VSM.

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He believes that Department of Defense (DoD) 1348, Manual of 
Military Decorations and Awards was revised in Sep 96, to change 
the VSM inclusive dates to include 29 Apr 75 to 30 Sep 75.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit E. 

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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 an error or injustice.  After 
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record we are not persuaded 
the VSM should be granted.  We note that the applicant states it 
is his understanding that DoD 1348 was revised in Sep 96 and the 
applicable dates were changed to include the period he was in 
Thailand.  Although DoD 1348 was revised, the period he 
references was for operation FREQUENT WIND, which required boots 
on the ground in Vietnam.  As such, his duties in Thailand do 
not qualify for award of the VSM.  In view of the above, we 
conclude that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of 
proof that he has been the victim of an error or injustice.  In 
the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the relief sought in this application.  

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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 Docket Number    
BC-2013-01981 in Executive Session on 30 Jan 14, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 Apr 13, w/atchs.
    	Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
    	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 21 Jun 13.
    	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Jul 13.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 13 Jul 13.




								
								Panel Chair