RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-01007 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be entitled to the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). 2. He be entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). (Administratively Corrected) 3. His service time in the Republic of Vietnam be added to his records. _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The VSM, VCM, and his service time in the Republic of Vietnam are not reflected in his records. In support of his request the applicant provides copies of a letter verifying his entitlement to the VSM, and DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: In a letter to the applicant dated 26 Mar 2013, AFPC/DPAPP advised him that they were able to confirm boots on the ground Foreign Service in the Republic of Vietnam from 26 Dec 1967 to 11 Feb 1968, for 1 month and 17 days. The amount of Foreign Service time reflected on his DD Form 214 is correct, therefore, a correction is not needed. He was advised that specific locations are not annotated on the DD Form 214; therefore, he may use the DPAPP letter as proof of boots on the ground for the Republic of Vietnam. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit C. _______________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for entitlement to the VCM. DPSID states that the VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who between 1 Mar 1961 and 28 Mar 1973; served for six months in South Vietnam during this period; or 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. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) or the VSM during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. According to AFPC/DPAPP, he served in Vietnam for 1 month and 17 days; therefore, he is ineligible for award of the VCM. DPSID was able to verify his entitlement to the VSM with two Bronze Service Stars (BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). Upon the final Board decision, administrative correction of his official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 19 May 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. 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 warranting award of the VCM. 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 that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. The Board notes the Air Force office of primary responsibility confirms the applicant was TDY to the Republic of Vietnam. However, in accordance with governing instructions, updates of TDY assignments/locations on the DD Form 214 are not authorized. The DPAPP letter serves as the source document of the applicant’s TDY to Vietnam during the period from 26 Dec 1967 to 11 Feb 1968. Therefore, we find no basis to favorably recommend granting the relief sought. ________________________________________________________________ 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 this application in Executive Session on 19 Nov 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR BC-2013- 01007 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Feb 2013, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 13 May 2013, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 May 2013. Panel Chair