RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04289 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he served in Vietnam. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was on Temporary Duty (TDY) from Mactan Isle Airfield, Philippines to Tan Son Nuht Air Base, Republic of Vietnam for 30 days in 1967. His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, reflects he was in Vietnam. He needs documentation showing he was in-country in order to receive veterans’ benefits for exposure to Agent Orange. The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s records reflect that he contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 4 Aug 66. The applicant retired on 1 Mar 86 and was credited with 20 years and 19 days of active service, which included 4 years, 4 months, and 5 days of foreign service. The applicant’s performance reports reflect he was assigned to the 463rd Field Maintenance Squadron, Mactan Isle Airfield, Philippines from 4 Aug 66 to 23 Nov 67. The applicant’s DD Form 214, dated 28 Feb 86, reflects he received the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGCN w/P), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCN). On 16 Dec 11, AFPC/DPSIDR informed the applicant that his being awarded the RVNGC w/P is not proof of service in Vietnam. The RVNGC is awarded to units of the United States (US) Armed Forces for combat achievement during Vietnam. This unit decoration is awarded without regard to the physical location of the members of the unit. The VSM is awarded to service members of the Armed Forces who served at any time between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, their contiguous waters, or the airspaces there over, and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. In addition, the service member must have served on TDY for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. These time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat missions. The RVCM is awarded to members of the US armed forces who, during the period 1 Mar 61 through 28 Mar 73, served for six months in South Vietnam, or served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only those who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) (Vietnam) or the VSM during the period of service are considered to have contributed direct combat support the RVN Armed Forces. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSIDR notes that since the VSM, RVNGC w/P, and the RVCM are annotated on the applicant’s DD Form 214, there is no action for them to take. None of the applicant’s Vietnam awards required his actual presence in the Republic of Vietnam. The VSM and RVCM could be awarded for service in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. The RVNGC w/P was awarded to units that provided air support in Vietnam from any geographic location. The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. HQ AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial noting the decorations the applicant received did not require his actual presence in Vietnam; and based on the fact there was no documentation in his records to reflect he served in Vietnam, they are unable to be confirm boots on ground for Vietnam. The complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 10 Feb 12, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. _________________________________________________________________ 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. After a thorough review of the applicant’s submission and the evidence of record we found it insufficient to conclude that he served or was stationed in Vietnam. Although the applicant received the VSM and RVCM, the award of these decorations did not require his actual presence in Vietnam. In addition, there was no documentation located or submitted that supports his presence in Vietnam. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the AFPC/DPAPP and adopt its rationale as the basis for our decision the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof of the existence 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 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-2011-04289 in Executive Session on 24 May 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04289 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Forms 149, dated 27 Oct 11. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 19 Jan 12. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 26 Jan 12. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Feb 12.