RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04158 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and by rebuttal requests his Air Force Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) be converted to the VSM. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Beginning 2 Jul 74, while assigned at U-Tapao Airfield, he served in support of Strategic Air Command (SAC) Southeast Asia (SEA) Contingency Operations. Air crews were flying daily sorties over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and were subjected to hostile environments. The last authorized award date was in Jul 73 during the Cease Fire Campaign. Air crews assigned after this date received combat/hostile pay and should receive the VSM for their service. Combat air crews assigned to the area deserve the VSM, just as much as the sailors assigned to the waters off the Vietnam coast. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 23 Mar 73. In documentation provided by the applicant indicates he was to proceed on temporary duty effective 4 Jul 74 to Japan and Thailand. The applicant’s Airman Performance Report (APR) rendered for the period 17 May 74 through 4 Jan 75 indicates he had an temporary assignment in Southeast Asia. On 31 Mar 88, he was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 9 years, 3 months, and 14 days of active service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice for award of the VSM. There was no official documentation located or provided to verify he served on TDY for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in the area of eligibility (AOE) during the inclusive period for award of the VSM; or that he participated as a regular crew member on a flight into the area of eligibility (AOE) in support of a military operation during the inclusive period for the VSM. The VSM is awarded to all service members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 73. In addition, service members serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period were also eligible for the VSM. To be eligible, a service member must be attached or regularly serving for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations; attached to or regularly serving for one, or more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations, actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; or served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, time limitations which may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. DPSID after thoroughly reviewing the applicant’s official military personnel record (MPR) was unable to verify he was awarded the VSM. Furthermore, there was no official documentation found showing the applicant served in the AOE prior to the close out date for the VSM and before the inclusive dates for the AFEM for Operation FREQUENT WIND. Service members who earned the AFEM for participating in Operation FREQUENT WIND from 29-30 Apr 75, may, upon application, convert their AFEM to the VSM. However, no service member may be issued both medals for service in Vietnam. While, the applicant’s DD Form 214, dated 31 Mar 88, reflects he was awarded the AFEM, DPSID could not verify for what operation it was awarded. However, the AFEM is not annotated on the applicant’s DD Form 214, dated 6 Apr 76, which covers the period of eligibility for the VSM in support of Operation FREQUENT WIND. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant request his AFEM be converted to the VSM. He reiterates he has provided TDY orders showing he was temporarily assigned to Thailand. He further states a review of his official flight records and his financial records would corroborate his temporary assignment. He believes he is entitled to the VSM for his service in support of joint military operation in support of Young Tiger Tanker Task Force operation in the airspace over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E. 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 to warrant awarding the applicant the VSM for the period in question or to convert his AFEM to the VSM. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal response, in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. The applicant has not provided any evidence to substantiate he completed any temporary duty in the area of eligibility during the inclusive period for award of the VSM. Furthermore, the AFEM on his 1988 DD Form 214 appears to have been awarded an operation after the award period for the VSM and therefore cannot be converted to the VSM. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 4. The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2014-04158 in Executive Session on 14 Jul 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04158 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 12 Dec 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Feb 15. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, 20 Mar 15.