RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-00252

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO	

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Amend his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, effective 12 Jun 72:

1)	In block 30 (Remarks) to reflect Vietnam – Yes; and,

2)	In block 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendation, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) to reflect the award of the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon [Medal].

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He was on temporary duty in Vietnam on two separate occasions and would like to be recognized as a Vietnam veteran.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former honorably discharged Air Force staff sergeant (E-5).

On 12 Jun 72, the applicant was discharged and block 30 of his DD Form 214 reflects “Vietnam-No.”

On 13 Mar 18, AFPC/DP3AM provided the applicant a “boots on ground” letter reflecting his 1 year, 4 months, and 8 days foreign service in the Philippines and Vietnam with two periods of temporary duty in Vietnam of 50 days and 25 days (Exhibit B). 

On 30 Oct 19, according to the applicant’s DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, his DD Form 214 was corrected to reflect the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (See Exhibit B).  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

AFM 35-5, Separation Documents and General Separation Procedures, dated 18 Jun 71, Item 30 (6) [mandatory entry] states, “PCS assignment to Indochina, Vietnam, or Korea on or after 5 Aug 1964.” 

AFMAN 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73, served for 6 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 6 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.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the applicant’s request for the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  In a 13 Mar 18 memorandum, the Air Force Directorate of Assignments was able to verify and confirm the applicant’s boots on ground foreign service time at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, from 27 Jan 69 to 3 Jun 70, for 1 year, 4 months and 8 days.  While the applicant was at Clark Air Base he performed two separate temporary duty assignments to the Republic of Vietnam, for 50 days and 25 days.  However, the duration of his two temporary duty assignments render the applicant ineligible for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 12 May 20 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  In this regard, the Board notes the applicant was on temporary duty to Vietnam less than the aggregate six months necessary to award the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  Furthermore, the applicable authority at the time states that in order to reflect “Vietnam-Yes” on a DD Form 214, the member must be permanently assigned.  The Board further notes the applicant states his Vietnam service was in a temporary duty status.  Therefore, the Board finds the applicant’s record does not warrant the requested relief and recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

CERTIFICATION

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-00252 in Executive Session on 2 Sep 20:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 16 Jan 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 8 May 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 12 May 20.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.