RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00850

				     	COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be amended to include his service in Vietnam and Thailand (Administratively Corrected).

His DD Form 214 be amended to show award of:

1. The Vietnam Air Service Medal,

2. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) (Administratively Corrected) and,

3. The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) (Administratively Corrected).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

When he signed up on the Agent Orange registry and submitted disability claims he had to provide his orders to Vietnam as his DD Form 214 was not sufficient as the VCM was not shown. 

Clerical errors were likely the cause in completing his DD Form 214 to show he served in Vietnam for 11 months and 22 days and at U-Tapao, Thailand, for 93 days and that he was awarded the Vietnam Air Service Medal, VSM, VCM, and SAEMR.

He has provided a copy of his operational deployment orders to APO 96330 and his SAEMR certificate. 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 6 Jan 65, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force.

The applicant’s AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, Section 2. Foreign Service lists service in Vietnam from 24 Jul 66 to 15 Jul 67, award of the VSM in Section 10. Awards, and in Section 19. Chronological Listing of Service, entries showing the applicant was assigned at Da Nang, Vietnam from 24 Jul 66 to 15 Jul 67. 

APO 96330 listed in the applicant’s operational order is U-Tapao, Thailand.

On 4 Oct 68, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 29 days of active service of which 11 months and 22 days was Foreign Service. 

The applicant’s DD Form 214 lists award of the VSM.  

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 award of the Vietnam Air Service Medal indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The Republic of Vietnam Air Service Medal appears to be primarily a commemorative decoration and is not stocked or issued by the United States Government or Department of Defense.

After a thorough review of the member’s military record AFPC/DP3SP was able to verify award of the SAEMR and the VCM.  The applicant provided a document as evidence for award of the SAEMR. The applicant’s AF Form 7 substantiates he was assigned to Da Nang, South Vietnam, from 24 Jul 66 – 15 Jul 67.  Based on this full review, it was also determined the following Air Force Medals/and or Ribbons were not reflected in the member’s record but should have been awarded. Upon a final board decision AFPC/DP2STM will correct the member’s official military record.

1.	 Vietnam Service Medal w/two Bronze Service Stars, (VSM w/2BSS)

2.	 Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, (SAEMR)

3.	 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm  (RVNGC w/Palm) 

4.	 Vietnam Campaign Medal, (VCM)

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

AFPC/DPAPP was able to verify the applicant’s boots on the ground service at Da Nang AB, Republic of Vietnam from 25 Jul 66 – 15 Jul 67 for 11 months and 22 days.  The dates of service at U-Tapao, Thailand could not be determined.  Thus, the amount of Foreign Service time credited on his DD Form 214 is correct. As specific locations are not listed on the DD Form 214, the letter issued by AFPC/DPAPP can be used as proof of “Boots on the Ground” service in the Republic of Vietnam and Thailand.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 2 Dec 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  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 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 with regard to award of the Vietnam Air Service Medal.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendations of the Air Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  However, as a result of the review, AFPC/DP3SP did find the applicant qualified for award of: the VSM w/2BSS, the SAEMR, the RVNGC w/Palm and the VCM. Upon a final board decision AFPC/DP2STM will administratively correct the member’s official military record.

4. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with regard to recording the applicant’s Foreign Service on his DD form 214. 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 OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion.  However, it was verified the applicant had boots on the ground service at Da Nang AB, Republic of Vietnam from 25 Jul 66 – 15 Jul 67, or 11 months and 22 days.  Based on this, AFPC/DPAPP has taken administrative action to issue a letter to the applicant that can be used as proof of “Boots on the Ground” service in the Republic of Vietnam and Thailand. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS 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-2016-00850 in Executive Session on 18 Apr 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00850 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Feb 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 10 Nov 16.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 22 Jun 16.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Dec 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.