RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03640
		INDEX NUMBER:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and that it be added to his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in Thailand during time of war, 1973-1974, as an F-4 crew chief.  He states that he served when and where the Air Force sent him.  He served in Northern Thailand near Laos where duty was hazardous, and lives were lost.

In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214.  

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s military records could not be located at the National Personnel Records Center.  Therefore, the following information has been obtained from documentation provided by the applicant.

The applicant served on active duty in the Air Force from 14 Jul 71 – 13 Jul 75; his DD Form 214 reflects 334 days of duty in Indochina or Korea after 5 Aug 64.  However there is no indication where or when this duty was performed.  He served 11 months and 4 days of Foreign Service.

His DD Form 214 reflects he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon.

On 13 Jul 75, he was honorably released from active duty in the grade of E-4, and transferred to the Air Force Reserves.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied, and states, in part, that the applicant did not provide documentation to substantiate his claim that he served in Thailand from 1973 – 1974.

On 1 Dec 03, AFPC/DPPPR advised the applicant to provide documentation showing he served in Thailand during the period 4 Jul 65 to 28 Mar 73 in order to verify his eligibility for award of the VSM; he did not respond.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 6 February 2004, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

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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 error or injustice.  In this respect, we note that attempts to locate the applicant’s military personnel records have been unsuccessful.  Additionally, the applicant has not provided documentation showing that he served in Thailand during the period in question.  Absent evidence substantiating the applicant served in Thailand, we find that there is no basis upon which to favorably consider his request.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC‑2003-03640 in Executive Session on 1 April 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 26 Oct 03
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 28 Jan 04
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Feb 04