RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02040

  						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1. He receive the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He spent 120 days in DaNang with the 405th Field Maintenance Squadron (405 FMS).  His first assignment was for 30 days, and then he volunteered to stay two more times.  He believes the time period was in late 1965.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 11 March 1964.

On 8 March 1968, the applicant received an honorable discharge, with credit for 3 years, 11 months, and 28 days of active service.

For more information, see the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (Exhibits C and D).

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  They are able to confirm the applicant served at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, from 27 September 1964 to 24 February 1966, but were unable to confirm any service in Vietnam.

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

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial.  The applicant provided Special Orders T-401 (dated 16 August 1965) and T-616 (dated 4 October 1965), which ordered him to Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, for a total of 120 days temporary duty, beginning on or about 20 August 1965.  However, the special orders cannot be validated without the paid travel voucher.  The travel voucher confirms that the special orders were carried out and details the exact dates and locations of the temporary duty.  DP3SP was unable to locate any paid travel vouchers within the applicant’s records.

By way of background, the VSM 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.  A service member must have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days, among other criteria, to be eligible for the medal.

AFPC/DP3SP has verified the applicant is entitled to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and will administratively correct his record.

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

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 22 December 2016 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 not timely filed.  However, in the interest of justice the Board will excuse the delay.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is our opinion that the applicant is the victim of an injustice.  While we note the comments of AFPC/DPAPP and AFPC/DP3SP indicating that relief should be denied, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted.  Although there is no travel voucher to confirm the first special order was executed, the second special order extending the applicant’s temporary duty serves much the same purpose of confirmation since its date, 4 Oct 65, was within the period the applicant would have been in Vietnam.  Therefore, we find it more likely than not that the applicant was on temporary duty in Vietnam for at least the minimum 30 consecutive days.  We recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that the DD Form 214, Armed Forces of The United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 8 March 1968 separation, be amended in Item 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Vietnam Service Medal.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02040 in Executive Session on 18 August 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 12 May 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 26 Aug 16.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 18 Dec 16.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Dec 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), I hereby certify that a quorum was present at the Board’s deliberations and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings.