RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01928 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

___________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

2. He be awarded the Vietnam Defense Commemorative Medal (VDCM). 

 

3. Block 22C, Foreign and/or Sea Service, of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge, be changed from 3 months 5 days to 6 months and 4 days 
or 184 days. 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

The Government wanted to keep the location of his Foreign Service 
secret. His record should be corrected to include the time he 
spent in Thailand. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, copies of his TDY orders, Special Order T-391 and 
its amendments, a copy of Special Order T-505 and other 
supporting documentation. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force 18 February 1964. 
On 24 May 1967, he completed a form stating he was in Thailand 
from 1–21 September 1965 and again from 8-28 September 1966. He 
further stated he had no combat missions. His AF Form 7, Airman 
Military Record, notes he had “Sea TDY” from 1-21 September 1965 
and again from 8-28 September 1966. There is also a TDY listed 
from 28 September-26 November 1966, however, the location of that 
TDY cannot be verified. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 


 

AFPC/DPISDR recommends denial. Air Force Personnel Center 
Directorate of Assignments confirmed the applicant’s boots on the 
ground in Thailand from 1-21 September 1965 and 8-28 September 
1966, for a total of 42 days. 

 

The VSM was created by Executive Order 11231 for service members 
who between, 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, served in Vietnam, 
Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace there over in direct 
support of operations in Vietnam. The member must have been TDY 
for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days for the award 
of the VSM. 

 

In accordance with Executive Order 11231 and Department of 
Defense Manual 1348.33, the applicant did not serve in these 
areas for the prescribed time and does not qualify for the VSM. 

 

Additionally, the Air Force does not issue or award commemorative 
medals at the cost of the Government. The VDCM cannot be 
awarded. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant states he kept records of his movements. He has no 
record of an additional TDY to Thailand in 1966: that is an 
error. The actual date should be 1965 to coincide with his TDY 
to Thailand. 

 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
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 an error or injustice. We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission and the available 
evidence of record in judging the merits of the case; however, 
we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force 
office of primary responsibility and adopt its 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 basis to recommend granting 
the relief sought in this application. 

 

___________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS 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-2011-01928 in Executive Session on 12 January 2012, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 
 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 May 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 10 Nov 11, w/atch. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit E. Applicant’s Response, undated.