RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01435 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be entitled to award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). (Administratively Corrected) 2. He be entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He believes he is entitled to the requested awards based on direct support of the Vietnam War, his service with his tactical airlift squadron, and at Ching Chuan Kang (CCK) Air Base, Taiwan. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 30 Jan 69 separation and his Air Force Form 7, Airman Military Record. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force, on 15 Sep 65, for a period of four years. He was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (Sgt/E-4) with a Date of Rank (DOR) of 1 Sep 68. He was credited with 3 years, 4 months, and 16 days of active duty service, including 1 year, 1 month, and 20 days of foreign service. On 9 Jun 11, the applicant’s record was administratively corrected to award him the AFOUA w/V and the RVNGC w/P. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial, stating, in part, that the documentation submitted failed to provide any evidence that substantiates foreign service time in Vietnam. The complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the VSM and the RVCM, stating, in part, that the Directorate of Assignments could not verify the applicant served in Vietnam. In addition, they note the VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who between 4 Jul 65 and 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 thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam. The RVCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served for six months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 or served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) (Vietnam) or VSM during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces. The complete AFPC/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 28 Oct 11 for review and response. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit E). ________________________________________________________________ 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 in respect to his entitlement to the award of the VSM and the RVCM. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendation of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, we find no basis to favorably consider this portion of the application. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES 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-2011-01435 in Executive Session on 19 April 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Mar 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 30 Aug 11. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 28 Sep 11. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Oct 11.