RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02071

			COUNSEL:  NONE

			HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded Vietnam Ribbon.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in hostile fire in Vietnam and should be awarded the 
Vietnam Ribbon.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 15 Jan 64 and 
received an honorable discharge on 12 Jan 68 after serving for 
3 years, 11 months, and 28 days on active duty.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s implied request 
for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) indicating 
there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The RVCM is 
awarded to service members who, between 1 Mar 61 and 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 Armed Forces for an 
aggregate of six months.  Only members who meet the criteria 
established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal of Vietnam 
Service Medal during said period are considered to have 
contributed direct support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed 
Forces.  While the applicant served in Vietnam from 13 Dec 66 
through 11 Feb 67 for approximately 60 days, said service does 
not meet the criteria for award of the RVCM.  However, a review 
of the applicant’s records indicates that he should have been 
entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service 
star (VSM w/1BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 
with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and his records will be corrected 
administratively.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 4 Oct 14 for review and comment 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 injustice warranting 
correction of the applicant’s records to reflect his entitlement 
to the RVCM.  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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the 
basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim 
of an error or injustice with respect to the RVCM.  We note the 
Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the 
VSM w/lBSS and RVNGC w/P and will correct his records 
administratively.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the 
contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond 
that rendered administratively.


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-2014-02071 in Executive Session on 19 Feb 15, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:


The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-02071 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 May 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 8 Aug 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Oct 14.