RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01214 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and any other medals, ribbons and awards that he earned during his military service. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was on Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam for 55 days between January 1969 and December 1970. He requests his records be reviewed and he be awarded the VSM and any other medals he may be entitled to. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant retired on 30 June 1988 in the grade of Master Sergeant (MSgt, E-7). He was credited with 20 years and 6 days of active duty service. The applicant’s DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, for the period of service from 27 December 1970 to 26 December 1974, Item 19, Indochina or Korea Service since 5 August 1964 reflects “138 days.” The VSM was awarded to members of the Armed Forces who between 3 July 1965 and 28 March 1973 served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace, in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial for award of the VSM. The applicant’s dates of service in Thailand are past the award inclusive period for award of the VSM. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DODM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff. DPSID was unable to verify the applicant went TDY to Vietnam between January 1969 and December 1970. There was no official documentation in the applicant’s record, nor was any provided to verify he served in Vietnam or the contiguous waters or airspace or served in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the award period for award of the VSM. The applicant’s dates of service in Thailand between 4 December 1973 and 25 May 1974 are past the award inclusive period for award of the VSM. Based on a review of the applicant’s record, DPSID was able to determine the applicant should have been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Upon the Board’s final decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/JA agrees with the recommendation of AFPC/DPSID to deny the applicant’s request for award of the VSM. There is no evidence in the form of military orders, witness statements or citations that the applicant served in Vietnam or any other qualifying location during the period identified for award of the VSM. His service in Thailand would qualify for the VSM but it is outside the established time limits. Based on this information, the applicant does not meet the criteria for award of the VSM. A complete copy of the AFPC/JA evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He provides pictures of himself in Vietnam. He is also requesting pay records from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and will provide them when received. He requests the Board consider this information and grant his request. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit F. 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 to warrant partial relief. We note the Air Force OPRs recommend denial for award of the VSM stating the applicant’s records contain no documentation substantiating he was TDY to Vietnam or served in an area of eligibility during the inclusive period for award of the VSM. We agree with the OPRs that the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence for award of the VSM; however, we find the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 26 December 1974 which states he completed 138 days of duty in Indochina or Korea and the photographs provided by the applicant as sufficient evidence that he more likely than not had boots- on-ground service in Vietnam. Because DODI 1336.1, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series), precludes adding TDY locations on the DD Form 214, we believe the appropriate remedy is to correct the applicant’s record to show that he had boots-on-ground in Vietnam. Should the applicant provide evidence to substantiate he served in an area of eligibility for award of the VSM between 3 July 1965 and 28 March 1973 for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days, we would be willing to reconsider his request. Therefore, in addition to the aforementioned administrative relief for award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected to the extent 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 had boots-on-ground at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Republic of Vietnam from 11 September 1969 to 22 September 1969. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01214 in Executive Session on 3 May 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01214 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 March 2015, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 7 December 2015. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/JA, dated 14 December 2015. Exhibit E. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 22 December 2015.