RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05446 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the following awards: 1. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. 2. The China Campaign Medal. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served on temporary duty to Vietnam and Taiwan and should have received the contested awards. In support of the applicant’s appeal, he provides a copy of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, Department of Veterans Affairs documentation and other documentation. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 July 1966. On 18 June 1969, the applicant was honorably discharged under the provisions of AFM 39-12. He served a total of 2 years, 10 months and 22 days on active duty and was credited with 1 year and 26 days of foreign and/or sea service. The Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) is the Republic of Vietnam’s own version of the VSM and is a separate foreign award that was authorized by the Department of Defense for acceptance and wear by Service members. There is no prohibition from Service members being awarded both the VSM and VCM. The VCM is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who: 1) Served for six months in South Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 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 VSM 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 28 January 1973, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan to 28 March 1973. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973, served for six months in South Vietnam during this period; served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. The China Campaign Medal is an award issued by the United States Army for service ashore in China with the Peking Relief Expedition between 20 June 1900 and 27 May 1901. The China Campaign Medal is also awarded to United States Navy and United States Marine Corps service members who served on shore in China or who were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of the operations in China between 7 July 1937 and 7 September 1939. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel records they were unable to verify award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal as they were unable to locate any official documentation verifying the applicant served in the area of eligibility for at least six months. They were also unable to verify award of the China Campaign Medal. The applicant entered into active duty numerous years after the award inclusive period of the China Campaign Medal. In addition, the applicant must contact the Army in regards to his request for award of the China Campaign Medal as it is governed by the United States Army. The DPSID complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 6 May 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit D). 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 an 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion 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 an 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-2012-05446 in Executive Session on 22 August 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-05446 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 November 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 April 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 2013. 4 3