RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-01551

 						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the following medals:

	Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

	Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His service record shows he has foreign service but does not include locations.  His appeal to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) shows evidence that he was in Thailand with the 28th Bomb Wing (28 BW) in support of Operations ARC LIGHT and YOUNG TIGER from 25 June 1968 to 24 June 1972, in direct support of operations in Vietnam.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 25 June 1968 and was released from active duty on 24 June 1972.  He was credited with 4 years and 14 days of active duty service.  He was also credited with 4 months and 29 days of foreign service.  

The applicant’s AF Form 11, Officer Military Record, reflects he was on Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to ARC LIGHT, 4133 Bomb Wing, Andersen AB, Guam from 12 September 1969 to 15 January 1970 for 126 days.  His AF Form 11, Foreign Service Summary, also shows he was on TDY assignments from 5 to 13 June 1969 for 9 days, 30 October to 7 November 1970 for 7 days TDY, 8 t to 11 December 1970 for 4 days and 21 to 24 April 1971 for 4 days; however, the TDY assignment locations are not listed.  

The applicant provides a copy of the DVA rating decision in his Board of Veterans Appeals dated 15 January 2015, DVA Docket Number 12-10 253, which granted service connection for diabetes mellitus  (type II), peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, prostate cancer, and urinary incontinence.  The analysis states the applicant served in Thailand but did not serve in Vietnam.  His duties as a logistics officer routinely required him to work near the perimeters of the airfield at U-Tapao AB, Thailand and based on his duties there was a likelihood of exposure to pesticide and herbicide agents.  The DVA decision states the applicant testified he served at U-Tapao AB, Thailand and provided eyewitness statements from comrades and his wife. 

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 for award of the VSM and VCM.  Although the applicant’s AF Form 11 indicates he performed duties in direct support of Operation ARC LIGHT at Andersen AB, Guam; Guam is not an area of eligibility for award of the VSM or the VCM.  Furthermore, DPS3P was unable to verify the applicant forward deployed or served on a TDY assignment for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam for award of the VSM or the VCM.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DODM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff.

The applicant provides the findings from the Board of Veterans Appeals dated 15 January 2015 as evidence he was in Southeast Asia where he was exposed to herbicide agents at U-Tapao AB, Thailand.  However, the board findings do not present evidence of the time frame or dates the applicant was in Thailand, nor is there any evidence in the applicant’s record to corroborate the findings of the DVA.  

The VSM was awarded to members of the Armed Forces who between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973 served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in direct support of military operations in Vietnam for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days.  

The VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973, served for 6 months in South Vietnam during this period; served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of 6 months. 

Operation ARC LIGHT is a mission which used B-52 bombers in Southeast Asia to attack the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese targets during the Vietnam conflict with inclusive dates of 18 Jun 1965 to 18 August 1973.  Andersen AB, Guam was the original location of the bombers participating in Operation ARC LIGHT beginning on 18 June 1965.  In 1967, U-Tapao AB, Thailand was an added base for the mission to reduce crowding at Andersen AB and for the reduction of flight time to enemy targets.  

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 22 February 2017 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.  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 or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, 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-2016-01551 in Executive Session on 6 July 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Panel Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 April 2016, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 16 August 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 22 February 2017.  

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.