RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02260
	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NOT INDICATED

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  He be entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

2.  He be entitled to the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM).

3.  His records be corrected to reflect his rank as Staff 
Sergeant (SSgt, E-5).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was given a promotion to the rank of SSgt prior to his 
discharge.  However his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United 
States report of Transfer or Discharge, incorrectly reflects his 
rank as Airman First Class (A1C, E-4).  In addition he flew all 
over Southwest Asia during his tour of duty in Vietnam, but was 
not issued a VSM.

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 8 Jul 
1963 through 7 Jul 1967.  He has five months and eight days of 
Foreign and/or Sea Service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate offices of 
the Air Force at Exhibit C and D.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s requests for 
award of the VSM and the SWASM.  DPSID states that the VSM is 
awarded to all service members of the Armed Services who between 
4 Jul 1965 and 28 Mar 1973, served in the following areas of 
Southeast Asia: Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; 
in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in 
the direct support of military operations in Vietnam for 
30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days.  DPSID was 
unable to locate official documentation verifying the applicant 
served in the area of eligibility for award of the VSM. 

The SWASM is awarded to members of the United States armed 
forces who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or 
DESERT STORM in one or more of the following areas from 2 Aug 
1990 through 30 Nov 1995: the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of 
Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies 
north of 100 N. latitude and west 680 E. longitude, as well as 
the total areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, 
Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.  The applicant's date of 
separation is 7 Jul 1967, rendering him ineligible for award of 
the SWASM.  To grant award of the VSM or the SWASM would be 
contrary to the criteria established by DoD Manual 1348.33, 
Manual of Military Decorations and Awards

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSOE recommends denial.  DPSOE states that the applicant's 
DD Form 214 correctly reflects his rank at time of his discharge 
from the Regular Air Force.  Reserve Order CA-040293, dated 
30 Aug 1969, reflects the rank that he obtained while serving in 
the Reserves.  The DD Form 214 is not accomplished upon 
discharge from the Reserves.  Therefore, based on the 
documentation in his records, the applicant was discharged from 
Regular Air Force in the proper grade of E-4.

The complete DPSOE evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 15 Oct 2013, copies of the Air Force evaluations were 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 
30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this 
office (Exhibit E).

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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.  We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of 
the case; however, we agree with the opinions and 
recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary 
responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our 
conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or 
injustice.  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 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 20 Feb 2014, under the provisions of AFI 
36-2603:

      , Panel Chair
      , Member
      , Member

?
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR BC-2013-
02260 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 2 May 2013, w/atch.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Jul 2013.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOE, dated 30 Aug 2013.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 15 Oct 2013.




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                                   Panel Chair
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