RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-05239

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be amended to correct:

a.  His Foreign and/or Sea Service time (Administratively Corrected) 

b.  Award of the Expert Marksmanship ribbon 

c.  His Vietnam in-country service 

d.   Authorized United States or Vietnam service or campaign medals.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 reflects 8 months, 9 days foreign service and should more accurately reflect 9.7 months.  The duration of his temporary duty deployments were improperly documented, possibly due to clerical errors.  The absence of the Expert Marksmanship ribbon may also be a clerical oversight as he qualified expert with the M-16 in basic training and the M-16 or M-1 Carbine during qualifications in following years.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 2 May 66, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force. 

The applicant’s personnel record reflects 10 months and 12 days foreign service time.

On 2 Mar 70, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 10 months, and 1 day of active service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C, D, and F.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. 

The applicant requested correction to his service record to reflect service in Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, and the Republic of Vietnam.  DPAPP was able to verify foreign service boots on ground in Japan and Germany, and 85 days in the United Kingdom; however, was not able to verify foreign service in the Republic of Vietnam.

With the addition of the Germany service (22 Nov 69 - 24 Jan 70) the foreign service on the DD Form 214 will change from 8 months and 9 days to 10 months and 12 days.

Complete copies of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluations are at Exhibits C and F.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.

The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 28 Aug 62 and is awarded to all United States Air Force members, who, after 1 Jan 63, qualify as “expert” in small arms marksmanship with either the M-16 rifle or issue handgun.  Qualification as “expert” in both weapons after 22 Jun 72 shall be denoted by a bronze service star worn on the service ribbon.

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 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 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.

The Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 served for six months in South Vietnam, or, served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months.  Only members of the United States Armed Forces who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length of service required, but who, during wartime, were:  wounded by the enemy (in a military action), captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released, killed in action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73.

After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, no documentation, such as a Special Order or Air Force Form 522, USAF Ground Weapons Training Data, was located to verify award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.  

Additionally, no documentation was found to verify the applicant served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in the area of responsibility for award of the Vietnam Service Medal, or served an aggregate of six months in the area of responsibility for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 15 Jun 16 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 not timely filed; however it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient 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; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, aside from the administrative correction noted above, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

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-2015-05239 in Executive Session on 11 Apr 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-05239 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 Dec 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 13 Apr 16.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 20 May 16.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 15 Jun 16.
	Exhibit F.  Email, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 28 Mar 17.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.