RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02633

	COUNSEL: 

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The applicant states that in 1968 he was ordered from Guam to Udorn, Royal Thailand AFB (RTAFB), to work maintenance on C-130 aircraft.  He states he was handed the VSM upon his return to Guam.  The applicant does not recall getting travel vouchers or other related documentation.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered active duty in the Regular Air Force on 21 Feb 66.  

On 15 Dec 69, the applicant separated from active duty with an honorable character of service.  He was credited with 3 years, 9 months and 25 days of active service, to include 1 year, 5 months, 
and 14 days of foreign service.  Additionally, the applicant was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

In a letter dated 11 Apr 16, the applicant informed his State Senator that while in Guam, he was sent temporary duty (TDY) three times, to include one-time to RTAFB to work on C-130 aircraft. (Exhibit A)

On 14 Jan 17, AFPC/DP3SP, awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award to the applicant.  Correction of the military personnel record will be accomplished by AFPC/DP2STM.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisories at Exhibit C and D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the application.  The official records provided no evidence that indicated the applicant served in Vietnam.  The record did support the applicant having served in Guam from January 1967 to June 1968.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  For award of the VSM, criteria states a service member must have served on TDY for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos or Cambodia.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 26 Jul 17 for comment (Exhibit E).  In his undated response, the applicant contended that he spent time in Thailand and was therefore qualified for the VSM.  As evidence of this, the applicant has provided emails from fellow airmen and letters he had written to his mother as further evidence of his claim.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit F.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3AM and AFPC/DP3SP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Despite the applicant’s claims and correspondence provided, the Board fails to find sufficient and proper documentation to support the award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-02633 in Executive Session on 1 May 18:

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, undated.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 6 Oct 16.
Exhibit D: Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP 14 Jan 17.
Exhibit E:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 26 Jul 17.
Exhibit F:	Applicant’s response, undated.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, Docket Number BC-2016-02633, required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.