RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02681 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He believes there was an administrative oversight as he applied for and was issued the Vietnam Service Medal – but he did not apply for the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was stationed with the 314 TAW/OMS in Taiwan where he participated in frequent flights into Vietnam. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: During the time period in question, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 11 July 1966. On 7 June 1970, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 10 months, and 27 days of active service and 3 years, 3 months, and 18 days of foreign and/or sea service. On 21 November 2014, AFPC/DPAPP advised the applicant that they were able to verify and confirm his boots on ground foreign service time at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan, from 24 December 1966 to 18 January 1968; also from 14 March 1969 to 6 June 1970. While assigned in Taiwan, he performed several temporary duty assignments to the Republic of Vietnam. The amount of foreign service time reflected on the applicant’s DD Form 214 is correct; therefore, a correction is not needed. Since specific locations are not annotated on a member’s DD Form 214, AFPC/DPAPP state their 21 November, 2014 letter can be used as proof of “boots on ground” for Taiwan and the Republic of Vietnam. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states the Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973 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 of the United States Armed Forces who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length of service required, but who, during wartime, were: wounded by the enemy (in a military action); captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released, killed in action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 28 January 1973, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 January 1973 to 28 March 1973. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were unable to verify award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were able to locate several travel vouchers (DD Form 1351-2) dated between 1969 and 1970. While some of the travel vouchers show the applicant was in Vietnam - they are too illegible to determine the applicant’s number of days in country. 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 27 February 2015 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error and injustice. After thoroughly reviewing the circumstances of this case, the majority of the Board believes that favorable consideration of the applicant’s request is warranted. We note that AFPC/DPSID has indicated they were able to locate travel vouchers dated between 1969 and 1970. While some of the travel vouchers show the applicant was in Vietnam – the vouchers are too illegible to determine the applicant’s number of days in country. We also note that AFPC/DPAPP provided the applicant a “boots on ground” letter for his service in Taiwan and the Republic of Vietnam. Consequently, the majority of the Board finds it more likely than not that the applicant did serve in the area of eligibility for the required length of time and is entitled to the Vietnam Campaign Medal. As such, the majority of the Board recommends the records be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he did serve in the area of eligibility for the required length of time and is entitled to the Vietnam Campaign Medal. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02681 in Executive Session on 2 April 2015 and 1 May 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: By a majority vote, the Board recommended approval of the application. voted to deny the applicant’s request but does not desire to submit a minority report. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 June 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 2 February 2015. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 February 2015.