ADDENDUM TO 
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-03185-2

   	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING:  YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST.  

		1.  He be awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). 

	2.  He be issued an updated DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, which includes the three decorations approved by the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC/DP1SP) on 5 Feb 16.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTION.  He was on temporary duty (TDY) with a number units and his name was overlooked.  His DD Form 214 was not reissued after he was awarded three new decorations.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit F.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:  

On 21 Jun 16, the Board considered and denied the applicant’s request for award of the VCM.  The Board determined the applicant had not provided sufficient documentation to establish he met the criteria for award of the VCM.  AFPC/DP1SP determined the applicant qualified for the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS), the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P), and directed his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be updated accordingly.  Because the applicant did not file his application within three years of the time the error or injustice was discovered, his application was denied as untimely.  The complete Record of Proceedings (ROP) and details of the original case are located at Exhibit E. 

The applicant served as a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) in an F4, and flew 33 combat missions over Vietnam from Udorn, Thailand for a period of 2 months and 20 days from 2 Aug 72 through 22 Oct 72. 

The applicant’s SF Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care, reflects the applicant received medical treatment on multiple occasions in Thailand between 13 Mar 73 and 15 Aug 73.

On 21 May 74, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge.

The Vietnam Campaign Medal (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.

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; Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia; or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.

As new evidence, the applicant submits documentation from his representative stating the applicant contacted his office in regards to his VSM.  He states the Air Force awarded the applicant the VSM; however, it is still not reflected on his DD Form 214.  

AIR FORCE EVALUATION.  AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  There was no new evidence submitted with this request to verify the applicant was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of 6 months during the qualifying period for award of the VCM.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit H.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION.  The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 22 Jan 18 for comment (Exhibit I), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was not timely filed, but it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay. 

2.   The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.  

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion the applicant is not the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contention he should be awarded the VCM.  While the Board notes the applicant also requests a new DD Form 214, in accordance with AFI 36-3202, Separation Documents, the only time a DD Form 214 is reissued is if one of the following is changed:  type of separation, character of service, separation authority, separation code, and narrative reason for separation.  Therefore, the DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued to the applicant on 14 Sep 16, is the official documentation for award of the three decorations, and qualifies him the same benefits as would an updated DD Form 214.  The Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.

CERTIFICATION: The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03185-2 in Executive Session on 11 Apr 18:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record as recommended.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit E: Original Record of Proceeding, date unavailable. 
Exhibit F: RECON application, DD Form 149, dated 28 Dec 16, w/atchs.
Exhibit G: Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 22 Jan 18. 
Exhibit H: Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBR to applicant, dated 22 Jan 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03185-2 by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.