ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00813-2 

						COUNSEL:  NONE

HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for his service in Vietnam. 

RESUME OF THE CASE

On 9 Dec 15, the Board considered and denied the applicant’s original request for the VSM.  In his initial application, he contended that, although his orders sending him to Vietnam reflect only 29 days, he served more than 30 days there.  He also flew into Vietnam on a C-130 to unload cargo without formal orders.  The Board based their determination, in part, on the opinions and recommendations of AFPC/DPAPP and AFPC/DPSID, who stated that although the applicant submitted travel orders to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, he failed to submit a travel voucher to establish the travel orders were carried out.  For an accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s original request and the rationale of the earlier decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings (ROP) at Exhibit F.

On 6 Aug 16, the applicant submitted a request for reconsideration of his original request.  In his reconsideration request, he submitted a personal statement in which he contends his unit sent planes to Vietnam every day, and when he received his travel orders he was just manifested on a C-130 to Tan Son Nhut AB; he requested his pay records which will reflect his combat pay, but they could not be located; he attached an e-mail from someone he describes as his roommate in Taiwan, who states the applicant was in Vietnam for over 30 days; a copy of a receipt from 19 Feb 68 issuing him an M-16, which he says was issued at Tan Son Nhut AB; a picture of his duffel bag tag showing a destination of Saigon; a picture of the applicant and another Airman in Da Nang, Vietnam; a picture of an envelope from a letter he send to his parents from Vietnam; and a fact sheet on the VSM.  He also contends he spent two days at Special Forces Detachment A-414 at Moc Hoa on the Cambodian border delivering fuel from a C-130.  They had been under constant attack during the TET offensive.  In a follow-up letter, the applicant also contends that if the Board denies his decision, he will request a formal hearing and bring the Air Force member who actually served with him in Vietnam to the hearing to testify on his behalf.  

The VSM is awarded to all members of the Armed Services who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: Vietnam and its contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.  To be eligible, a service member must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more days with an organization participating in or directly support ground (military) operations, or have directly participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations, or, have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days.  Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit G.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice concerning the applicant’s request for award of the VSM.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case.  Although the applicant submitted additional evidence to support his contention he served in Vietnam, the Board does not believe the new evidence clearly establishes the applicant was in Vietnam for the 30 consecutive days required to qualify for the VSM.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

4.  However, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice concerning the applicant’s service in Vietnam.  Based on the totality of the information presented, to include his travel orders to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, supporting testimony from a roommate in Taiwan, the envelope of a letter he allegedly sent to his parents from Vietnam, and several photographs, to include a picture of the applicant and another Airman in Da Nang, Vietnam, the Board believes the preponderance of the evidence makes it more likely than not the applicant was physically present in Vietnam.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show he had boots on the ground in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00813-2 in Executive Session on 26 Sep 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit F.  Original ROP, dated 11 Jan 16, w/atchs.
Exhibit G.  RECON DD Form 149, dated 6 Aug 16, w/atchs.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.