RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-01025

	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge be corrected to reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3BSS).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He deployed to Vietnam and Thailand in support of Operations VIETNAM DEFENSE CAMPAIGN (4 Jul to 24 Dec 65), VIETNAM COUNTEROFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN (25 Dec 65 to 30 Jun 66), and VIETNAM COUNTEROFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN, Phase II (1 Jul 66 to 31 May 67); however his DD Form 214 does not reflect award of the VSM. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 6 Aug 64 to 5 Aug 68.  He was credited with four months and four days of Foreign Service.  According to AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, the applicant deployed to Southeast Asia (SEA) during the periods 11 Oct 65 to 20 Dec 65 and 3 Jun 66 to 24 Jul 66.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application because they were unable to locate any official documentation, nor did the applicant provide any, to verify he served in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam, or that he met any of the other qualifying criteria.  The VSM 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. 

The applicant should have been awarded the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) during his service from 6 Aug 64 to 5 Aug 68.  Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 8 May 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed.

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

3.   After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

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-2017-01025 in Executive Session on 28 Jun 18:

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 24 Jan 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 13 Mar 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 8 May 18.

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