RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04163 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be 
corrected to reflect the following medals: 

 

 a. Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) – administratively 
corrected. 

 

 b. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) – administratively corrected. 

 

 c. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He would like to give his daughter the corrected DD Form 214 
along with the medals before his dies. 

 

The evidence submitted in support of the appeal is at Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 3 Oct 72 and 
was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (E-4) having 
assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Jun 75. 
He was honorably discharged on 14 May 76 after serving 3 years, 
7 months, and 12 days on active duty. 

 

On 16 Nov 11, AFPC/DPSIDR advised the applicant that his DD Form 
214 would be corrected to reflect his 1 year, 1 month, and 9 days 
of foreign service and confirmed “boots on the ground” in 
Thailand. 

 

The RVCM Criterion: This medal is awarded to members of the 
armed forces of the United States who: 1) Served for six months 
in South Vietnam during the period March 1, 1961 to March 28, 
1973; 2) Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam 
and contributed direct combat support to the RVN armed forces for 


an aggregate of six months. Only members of the armed forces of 
the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM 
(Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service 
required are considered to have contributed direct combat support 
to the RVN armed forces; 3) Did not complete the length of 
service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during 
wartime, were: a) wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b) 
captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but 
later rescued or released; c) killed in action or in the line of 
duty; 4) Were assigned in Vietnam on Jan. 28, 1973, and who 
served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 
Jan. 29 to March 28, 1973. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the 
Air Force which is located at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the RVCM. The Directorate of 
Assignments was able to verify the applicant’s service in 
Thailand; however, he did not serve for 6 months during the 
inclusive period for award of the RVCM. 

 

A complete copy of the 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 22 Dec 11 for review and response. As of this date, no 
response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 with regard to 
the applicant’s request for the RVCM. In this respect, the 
applicant has not provided any documentary evidence to 
substantiate his claim that he meets the criteria for the RVCM; 
therefore, 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 relief beyond that 


already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, 
we find no basis to favorably consider 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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-04163 in Executive Session on 23 Feb 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Oct 11, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 15 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 22 Dec 11.