RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03545 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued 14 Mar 69 be corrected to reflect his service in Vietnam. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He needs this correction so that he may be granted Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) benefits that he has earned based on his service in Vietnam. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 28 Oct 65, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force for a period of four years. On 14 Mar 69, the applicant was honorably discharged and credited with 3 years, 4 months, and 17 days of active service, including 6 months and 6 days of foreign service. DPSID determined the applicant’s record should be administratively corrected to reflect the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM), Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star (VSM w/lBSS), and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) after final Board action. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request for service credit in Vietnam. DPAPP notes that a review of his Master Personnel Records and documentation submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiate foreign service time in Vietnam. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends approval for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). The applicant's first day in Vietnam is verified as 26 Aug 68, and the medical documents and buddy statement support that he served the period of the Temporary Duty Order. The applicant states he was given a hardship discharge; his DD Form 214 is dated 14 Mar 69, and his last unit of assignment was the 822nd Combat Security Police Squadron. DPSID believes that although there is no single document that verifies the applicant served the required six months in Vietnam for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the available documentation demonstrates it is far more likely than not the applicant did serve the required time. Recommend approval for award of two additional Bronze Service Stars to the previously verified VSM w/lBSS. It appears that although DPSID was unable to determine the exact date the applicant left Vietnam, they believe more likely than not he left in Mar 69, making him eligible for two additional Bronze Service Stars. DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR); they found no documentation in the applicant's personnel file verifying that he qualified with either his issue handgun or the M-16 rifle. DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC); citing there is no documentation verifying any unit to which the applicant was assigned was awarded the PUC for the period he was assigned. DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA), again noting no official documentation assigning the applicant to Headquarters, 82nd Combat Security Police Wing, or that the 82nd Combat Security Police Wing shared the award of the AFOUA with units to which the applicant was assigned. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 6 Mar 15 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 timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. While we note the comments from DPAPP; we agree with the opinion and recommendation from DPSID and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant served the required six months in Vietnam for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Additionally, as we have determined that it is more likely than not the applicant served six months in Vietnam, and in view of the fact the applicant was credited with six months and six days of foreign service while assigned to other overseas locations, we believe that his records should also be corrected to reflect that he was credited with a total of 12 months and 6 days of foreign service. We also agree this correction, as recommended by DPSID, entitles the applicant award of two additional Bronze Service Stars to the previously verified VSM, w/1BSS. Therefore, other than the aforementioned administrative corrections, the applicant should also be entitled to award of the RVCM, the VSM, w/3BSSs and boots on the ground in Vietnam from 26 Aug 68 to 25 Feb 69. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent 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: a. He had boots on the ground in Vietnam from 26 Aug 68 to 25 Feb 69. b. His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 14 Mar 69 separation, be amended to read in Items 22c, Statement of Service – Foreign and/or Sea Service, 12 months and 6 days. c. His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 14 Mar 69 separation, be amended to read in Items 24, Decoration, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal, with Three Bronze Service Stars. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03545 in Executive Session on 7 May 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 Aug 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 2 Dec 14. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Feb 15, w/atch. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Mar 15.