RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00514 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be reviewed for eligibility of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM), and any other award or unit citation to which he is entitled. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served honorably for three years, seven months, and five days. His records have cryptic notations about eligibility and non- eligibility for the medals, some of which have overlapping dates. These contradictory statements are in error. He had no disciplinary actions taken against him and his evaluations were consistently excellent. He served with the 463rd Organizational Maintenance Squadron (OMS) at Mactan Field, Philippines, for over 12 months in support of operations in Vietnam. He was sent to Than Son Nut Air Base, Vietnam, on a number of occasions. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of a personal statement, his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States; Report of Transfer or Discharge, extracts from his master personnel records, and a letter from the National Personnel Records Center. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served on active duty from 5 Apr 63 to 9 Nov 66. The applicant’s evaluation report for the period 5 Apr 65 to 4 Apr 66 reflects the applicant went temporary duty to Vietnam and flew into combat areas on two occasions; however, the length of time is not indicated. Further, no derogatory or disciplinary action could be located in the applicant’s official military personnel record. The VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who, between 4 Jul 65 to 28 Mar 73, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace there-over and in the direct support of operations in Vietnam. A service member must have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days to be eligible for award of the VSM. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. The AFGCM is awarded to personnel in an enlisted status for “exemplary conduct” (exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity), while in active military service. It is awarded for completion of three years continuous active military service or awarded upon the completion of one year continuous active military service while the U.S. is at war. Commanders may deny the award in those cases where an individual’s conduct has been less than exemplary. Prior to 1 Jun 63, the Air Force issued the Good Conduct Medal (GCM). Effective 1 Jun 63, the Air Force began awarding the AFGCM. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that based on annotations on the applicant’s service record they were unable to verify his entitlement to the AFGCM. Additionally, they were unable to determine if the applicant served temporary duty in Vietnam for the required number of days in direct support of military operations. DPSIDR states they were able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for his service with the 463rd OMS. The records will be administratively corrected by AFPC to reflect this entitlement. The complete DPSIDR 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 25 Mar 11 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has not received a 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. 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. We note the Air Force OPR was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) and will correct his records administratively. In view of the above, we find no 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 Docket Number BC-2011-00514 in Executive Session on 21 Jul 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-00514: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Feb 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Available Military Records. Exhibit C. HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, Letter, dated 15 Mar 11. Exhibit D. SAF/MRBR, Letter, dated 25 Mar 11, w/atchs. Panel Chair