RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-02266 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The lack of the VSM on his DD Form 214 is preventing him from joining the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post as a veteran of a foreign war. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered active duty in the Regular Air Force on 10 October 1966. On 9 October 1970, the applicant was released from active duty with an honorable character of service, transferred to the Air Force Reserve, and was credited with 4 years of active service, to include 6 months and 3 days of foreign and/or SEA 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 denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 1965, and before 28 March 1973. 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 Vietnam Service Medal. 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 days or 60 non- consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official personnel record, they were unable to verify award of the Vietnam Service Medal. The applicant’s Performance Report (AF Form 910) with inclusive dates 21 March 1969 to 20 September 1969 reflects he was assigned to the 509th Field Maintenance Squadron, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, with duty at 4133rd Bomb Wing, APO San Francisco 96334 for a 180-day tour in Guam. Although Guam is sometimes referred to as Southeast Asia, Guam is not a qualifying location in the area of eligibility for award of the Vietnam Service Medal. During Vietnam, locations such as the Philippines, Taiwan, and Guam, were sometimes referred to as Southeast Asia even though they were not in the area of responsibility for award of the Vietnam Service Medal; therefore, he is ineligible for award of the Vietnam Service Medal. Based on review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were able to determine the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 10 October 1966 to 9 October 1970 and was not reflected in his record. Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. 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 30 October 2016 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof of the existence of an error or injustice regarding award of the Vietnam Service Medal. We note that AFPC/DPSIDR has verified the applicant’s entitlement to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and that his records will be corrected administratively. Therefore, other than the administrative corrections cited above, we find no basis to recommend granting any additional relief sought in this application. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-02266 in Executive Session on 15 March 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-02266 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 May 2015. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 13 October 2015. Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 30 October 2015. 3