RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05757 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, Item 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, be amended to read that he “served within the boundaries and on the ground of the Republic of South Vietnam.” APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: In the past few years he learned there is no record of his serving boots on the ground in Vietnam. Once the Board corrects his records, copies should be sent to him and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, notarized statements from members who attest to his service in Vietnam, photographs and various other documents related to his request. The applicant provides no rationale as to why his failure to timely file should be waived in the interest of justice. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 22 January 1969 to 22 October 1971, as an Electronic Communications and Cryptographic Equipment Repairman. His DD Form 214 reflects 1 year, 5 months and 11 days of Foreign and/or Sea Service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. Following a review of the applicant’s master personnel records and documentation submitted, DPAPP is able to verify and confirm Foreign Service boots on ground at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, but they are unable to substantiate Foreign Service time in Vietnam. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He requested a copy of his records from St. Louis; however, when he received his records, included were documents from another military member. It stands to reason that if he received the copies of the other member’s documents, copies of his missing Temporary Duty (TDY) orders may be in someone else’s records. The TDY orders and other records he retained in his files were destroyed; however, he recalls that he had TDY orders for Vietnam, Korea and Okinawa. He was able to locate a photograph of himself in Vietnam as well as Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) records which reflect he was diagnosed with and received treatment for Agent Orange. The DVA accepted the statements from his three former members as “buddy statements.” In addition, because he worked “crypto” many of his TDY locations were not reflected on his orders. In further support of his appeal, the applicant resubmits the same correspondence submitted with his original application as well as website information, additional photographs, and various other documents associated with his appeal. His complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. 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. We note the applicant’s states he had TDY orders for Vietnam, Korea and Okinawa and believes his documents may have been misfiled; however, we do not find his assertions sufficiently persuasive to override the rational provided by the Air Force OPR. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 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. The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 12 November 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member Due to the unavailability of XXXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXXX will sign as Acting Panel Chair. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR BC-2013-05757 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 December 2013, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 14 February 2014. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 March 2014. Exhibit E. Letters, Applicant, dated 21 March 2014, 27 March 2014, 8 July 2014, 19 August 2014, w/atchs.