RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00396 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the following medals: 1. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 2. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P)(Administratively corrected ) APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was deployed to U-Tapao Air Base (AB), Thailand from January to March 1969. The medals were issued after his discharge date and from the computer research he conducted, they were issued to the unit he was attached to. He submits the Air Force Fact sheets for the medals, in support of his request. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 24 Aug 66, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. According to Standard Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care, he received medical treatment at the XXXX, Thailand on 19 Feb 69, 21 Feb 69, 22 Feb 69, 25 Feb 69, and 14 Mar 69. According to AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, he was TDY to Southeast Asia (SEA) from 31 Jan 69 to 18 Apr 69 for a total of 78 days. On 18 Aug 70, the applicant was released from active duty due to completion of required active service and transferred to the Air Force Reserve to complete his military service obligation. He was credited with 3 years, 11 months and 24 days of active service including 1 year, 1 month and 13 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 award of the VSM with one Bronze Service Star (w/1BSS). Though official documentation verifying the applicant served in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days cannot be located, it is more likely than not that he served the required number of days for award of the VSM. The VSM is awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 73. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the VSM. To be eligible, a service member must be: permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations; permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. Based on review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, we were able to determine that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 24 Aug 66 to 18 Aug 70 and were not reflected in his records. Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR: *Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V) *Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) 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 9 Sep 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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, including attachments, 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. While more conclusive documentation does not exist, the documentation that does exist shows that it is more likely than not the applicant fulfilled the minimum requirement of days for award of the VSM w/1BSS. 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 his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his August 18, 1970 release from active duty, be amended to include the Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS) in block 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized. All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00396 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 29 Jan 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 10 Aug 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Sep 15.