RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-03494 

INDEX CODE: 107.00 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NO 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect his award of the 
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) or Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was on temporary duty (TDY) several times during the Vietnam 
War for several months at a time; however, his DD Form 214 does 
not reflect either of the requested awards. He separated early 
after returning home from Vietnam and had not used his DD Form 
214 for anything until recently when he applied for Department of 
Veteran Affairs (DVA) healthcare and noticed the awards were not 
reflected. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a DVA cover 
letter and a copy of his DD Form 214. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force from 
24 March 1965 to 1 November 1968. He was honorably released from 
active duty in the grade of sergeant (E-4) with a total of three 
years, seven months, and eight days of active military service of 
which one year and six months was reflected as foreign service. 
His DD Form 214 indicates he was awarded the National Defense 
Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and Outstanding Unit 
Award. 

 

On 14 October 2008, the Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of 
Assignments requested the applicant provide any documents that 
reflected his service in Vietnam. The applicant responded with a 



personal note, a copy of two photographs, a copy of a non-rated 
time log, and an Aeronautical Order. 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denying the applicant’s request for service 
time in Vietnam. DPAPP states they find no evidence the 
applicant was TDY or assigned to Vietnam. 

 

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denying the applicant’s request for award 
of the VSM. DPSIDR indicates the VSM is awarded to all service 
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 the direct 
support of military operations in Vietnam. 

 

DPSIDR states no official documentation (travel voucher, travel 
orders, decorations, etc.) were located in the applicant’s record 
that verifies Vietnam service. 

 

The complete DPSIDR 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 May 2009 for review and response within 30 days 
(Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no 
response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 error or injustice. After a 
thorough review of the available records, we found no evidence to 
support the applicant performed any service in Vietnam. We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the 
merits of this case; however, we agree with the opinions and 
recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary 



responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our 
conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error 
or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the 
contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the 
relief sought in this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that 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 this application in 
Executive Session on 15 July 2009, under the provisions of AFI 
36-2603: 

 

  Panel Chair 

  Member 

  Member 

 

The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2008-03494 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Sep 08, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 19 Apr 09. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 5 May 09. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 May 09.