RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-04704

			COUNSEL:  NONE

	  		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect the following 
awards:  

1.  Good Conduct Medal (GCM). (Administratively Corrected)  

2.  Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).  

3.  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA).  (Administratively 
Corrected)

______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The authorized awards are not reflected on his DD Form 214.

He served in Okinawa which qualified him for the VSM.  

In support of his requests, he provides copies of his DD Form 
214, AF Form 899, Request and Authorization for Permanent Change 
of Station-Military; AF Form 1299, Application for Household 
Goods; and other various documents associated with his requests.  

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 23 Jul 68, he entered active duty.

On 17 Sep 70, he was discharged.

He served 2 years, 1 month and 25 days on active duty.  

The VSM is awarded to 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 thereof and in the 
direct support of military operations in Vietnam for             
30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial for award of the VSM.  There is no 
official documentation in the applicant’s record to verify he 
was assigned or attached, or detailed for one, or more, days 
with an organization participating in or directly supporting 
ground (military) operations; permanently assigned, attached, or 
detailed for one, or more days aboard a naval vessel directly 
supporting military operations; have actually participated as a 
crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting 
military operation, have served on temporary duty for          
30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days, in the area of 
eligibility for award of the VSM.  Okinawa is not in the area of 
eligibility for award of the VSM; rendering him ineligible for 
the award.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria 
established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and 
Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or 
the War Department.  

Based on a review of his records, DPSID was able to verify he 
should have been awarded the AFOUA, AFGCM and the Republic of 
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P).  Upon the Board’s 
final decision, his records will be administratively corrected 
to reflect these awards.  

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 14 Mar 14, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded 
to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days.  As of 
this date, this office has not received a response (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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took 
notice of the applicant’s complete submission; however, we agree 
with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force Office of 
Primary Responsibility (OPR) and adopt the rationale expressed 
as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been 
the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, aside from the 
administrative corrections for award of the AFOUA, AFGCM and 
RVNG w/P, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief 
sought in this application.  

________________________________________________________________

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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-04704 in Executive Session on 29 Jul 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
     
 , Panel Chair
 , Member
 , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 Oct 13, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 28 Feb 14.  
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Mar 14.  
          


 
      PanelChair