RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-05010 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal in exchange for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Operation FREQUENT WIND. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was awarded the second Bronze Service Star to his Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for direct participation in support of Operation FREQUENT WIND and changes to governing awards directives that occurred after his retirement authorized him to exchange the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal he received for Operation FREQUENT WIND for the Vietnam Service Medal. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 10 May 1973. On 30 September 1985, the applicant was relieved from active duty and retired on 1 October 1985 in the grade of major under the provisions of AFR 35-7, Vol—Retirement for Years of Service Established by Law. The applicant was credited with 3 years, 8 months and 26 days of foreign service. 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 approval for exchange of the second Bronze Service Star to the applicant’s Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) with one Bronze Service Star. DPSID states although they were unable to locate official documentation verifying the operations for which the applicant was awarded the AFEM with two Bronze Service Stars, it appears more likely than not that the applicant received one of his three AFEM’s for his participation in Operation FREQUENT WIND. The entries in his Officer Effectiveness Report and the Meritorious Service Medal citation indicate his participation in Operation FREQUENT WIND was substantial. The applicant’s Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) indicates award of the AFEM with two Bronze Service Stars; however, the operations in which the applicant directly supported for each of these awards is not indicated. The applicant’s official military personnel record contain a citation to accompany award of the Meritorious Service Medal for the applicant’s service at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, from 15 January 1975 to 16 May 1975, commending the applicant for his actions during the evacuation of Cambodia (EAGLE PULL), evacuation of South Vietnam (FREQUENT WIND), and the recovery of the United States Merchant Vessel Mayaguez, all of which were operations for which participants were awarded the AFEM. The applicant’s official military personnel record contains an Officer Effectiveness Report (AF Form 707) that states he was the Personnel Project Office for the Vietnamese Airlift. By this we believe the unit is referring to Operation FREQUENT WIND. His record also contains a Supplemental Sheet (AF Form 77a) stating the applicant was directly involved with Security Police activities in the evacuation, recovery and control of Vietnamese refugees. 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 May 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 timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice. Due to documents contained within the applicant’s military personnel record there is sufficient justification to support the applicant’s request. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s 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 was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star rather than the second Bronze Service Star to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-05010 in Executive Session on 26 August 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-05010 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 December 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Record. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 2 February 2015. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 May 2015. 2 3