RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-02808

						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 Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) (Administratively Corrected) and the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

When he separated, he did not realize that his medals were left off of his DD Form 214.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 19 May 70, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.

On 4 May 72, according to medical documentation, on 4 May 72, the applicant was treated at the 366th USAF Dispensary, in Da Nang, Vietnam.

According to an AF Form 2095, dated 17 Dec 73, the applicant’s Short Tour Return Date (STRD) was adjusted to Sep 72, due to being in a Temporary Duty (TDY) status in Southeast Asia (SEA) for 236 days.

On 15 May 74, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve (USAFR).  He was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 27 days of total active service, to include 2 years, 11 months and 15 days of foreign service.

On 31 Dec 74, the applicant’s record was administratively corrected to add the VSM.

On 31 May 76, the applicant received an honorable discharge from the USAFR, effective 18 May 76.

The applicant’s record will be administratively corrected to add the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/lBOLC), the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P).  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the VCM indicating there is no official documentation in the applicant's record to verify he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of 6 months for award of the VCM.  There are several medical documents as well as memorandum dated 23 Feb 73 stating the applicant, along with several others, met the requirements for the VSM per AFM 900-3, Paragraph 6-24(b).  However, DP3SP have been unable to locate any official documentation verifying exactly how long the applicant was in the area of eligibility for which he was determined to be eligible for the VSM.

The VCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Force who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73, served for six months in South Vietnam, or, served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months.  Only members of the United States Armed Forces who meet the criteria establish for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length of service required, but who, during wartime, were: wounded by the enemy (in a military action), captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued and released, killed in action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 11 Jan 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error.  While we note the comments of AFPC/DP3SP indicating there is no official documentation in the applicant's record to verify he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of six months for award of the VCM, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted.  In this respect, we note the applicant’s DD Form 214 indicates he had 2 years, 11 months, and 15 days of foreign service and his only other assignment in an overseas location was in the Republic of Korea for 1 year.  In view of these facts, we find sufficient evidence to conclude that more likely than not, the applicant has an aggregate of at least six months in the area of responsibility and therefore meets the eligibility criteria for award of the VCM for direct combat support.  Therefore, we believe it appropriate to recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent 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 that his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be amended to reflect the award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-02808 in Executive Session on 16 Aug 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

					 , Panel Chair
					 , Member
					   , Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-02808 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Jun 15.
	Exhibit B.  Pertinent Excerpts from Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 9 Dec 15, w/atch.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 11 Jan 16.

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