RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00145 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to include his service in Vietnam and his benefits and medals from Vietnam.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He served in Taiwan with the 314th Field Maintenance Squadron (FMS) and from there he was sent TDY to Vietnam. He worked on the flight line on C-130 aircraft at Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. This was in 1968/1969.

He is getting older and wants his military record complete to include his service time in Vietnam. It has also affected his medical benefits with the Veteran’s Administration.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 24 Nov 65, the applicant initially entered active duty in the Regular Air Force.

On 13 Apr 69, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 4 months, and 20 days of active service to include 1 year and 19 days of foreign service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence the applicant served in Vietnam. It was confirmed the applicant had boots-on-the-ground service at Ching Chuan Kan Air Base, Taiwan from 28 Mar 68 to 11 Apr 69.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DP3SP was unable to verify award of the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal or any other awards for service in Vietnam.

The Vietnam Service Medal (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. There was no official documentation in the applicant’s military record, nor was any provided to verify the applicant served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace or served in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of military operations in Vietnam for award of the VSM.

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. It could not be verified the applicant contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of 6 months for award of the VCM.

Notwithstanding the above, it was verified the applicant should have been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor for his service with the 314th  FMS.   AFPC/DP2STM will take

administrative action to correct the member’s record when a final Board decision is made.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant responded to receiving the advisories (Exhibit E) by emphasizing he has been trying to get his military records, and that all of his TDY orders are missing. He attached statements from his brother and a fellow airman who was stationed with him in Taiwan and remembers the applicant’s TDY to Vietnam.

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. 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 AFPC offices of primary responsibility. With respect to service in Vietnam, we adopt AFPC/DPAPP’s rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. It could not be verified by substantive documentation that the applicant had served in Vietnam. With regard to award of the VSM or VCM, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP. Verification of a previous award of the VSM and/or VCM or evidence of sufficient service in Vietnam during the eligibility period for these medals could not be found. Thus, relief cannot be granted to award the VSM and VCM. However, AFPC/DP3SP, on review of the applicant’s record, determined he should have been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/Valor) for his service with the 314th Field Maintenance Squadron. AFPC/DP2STM will take administrative action to correct the member’s record to show he was awarded the AFOUA w/Valor. Therefore, beyond the administrative correction provided, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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-2016-00145 in Executive Session on 16 March 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair
, Member Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00145 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 5 Jan 16, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master6 Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 6 Jun 16. Exhibit D.	Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 25 Jul 16. Exhibit E.	Applicant Rebuttal undated, w/atchs.

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.

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