RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04777

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should be awarded the VSM for his service at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as an aircraft maintenance technician, in direct support of the Vietnam conflict during Operation ARC LITE.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 24 April 1967.

On 26 February 1971, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge and was credited with 3 years, 10 months, and 2 days of active service and credited with 5 months and 20 days of foreign and/or SEA service.

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 indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  

The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 1965 and before 28 March 1973.  In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period were also were eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal.  To be eligible, a Service member must: Be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations; be 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 operations, 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.

Operation ARC LIGHT is a mission which used B-52 bombers in Southeast Asia to attack the Viet Cong during the Vietnam conflict with inclusive dates 18 June 1965 to 18 August 1973.

Andersen Air Base, Guam, was the original location of the bombers participating in Operation ARC LIGHT beginning on 18 June 1965.  In 1967, U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, was an added base for the mission to reduce crowding at Andersen Air Base and for the reduction of flight time to Viet Cong targets.

After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were unable to verify award of the VSM.

The applicant’s Performance Report (AF Form 909), from the 4133rd Organizational Maintenance Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, dated from 24 January 1968 to 30 June 1968 indicates the applicant did perform duties in support of Operation ARC LITE; however, Guam is not in the area of eligibility for award of the VSM.

Based on their review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were able to determine that the Air Force Longevity Service Award should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 24 April 1967 to 26 February 1971 and was not reflected in his records.  Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He was sent to Guam in support of Operation Arc Light.  He worked countless hours in keeping B-52s flying to Vietnam in direct support of Operations on the Ground.  He was fully engaged in ground operations.  He worked tirelessly to fulfill the need and provided support to accomplish the mission.

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.  While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years ago, in our view, the reasonable date of discovery of the alleged error or injustice was more than three years ago and the application is therefore untimely; however, it is in the interest of justice to waive 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 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 did perform duties in support of Operation ARC LITE; however, Guam is not in the area of eligibility for award of the VSM.  Therefore, other than the administrative corrections cited above, we find no basis to recommend granting any additional relief sought in this application.

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-2015-04777 in Executive Session on 14 March 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 November 2015, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 11 April 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 19 April 2016.
Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 17 May 2016.

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 pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04777.