RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00456 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be entitled to the Korean Service Medal (KSM). 2. He be entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The aforementioned awards are now applicable for his period of service. The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider his untimely application because he was recently briefed at an American Legion Meeting that he is eligible for the aforesaid awards. In support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and an extract from a computer generated Uniform Military Personnel Record. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 12 September 1957 to 31 July 1981. According to the applicant’s Air Force Commendation Medal Citation for the period 27 January 1971 to 26 February 1972, he served in Korea. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The KSM is awarded to personnel who were assigned or attached to combat or service units designated by the Commander, Far East Air Forces, in general orders for service within the Korean Theater or adjacent areas between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. The applicant's dates of service in Korea from 12 September 1957 to 31 July 1981, render him ineligible for award of the KSM. The VSM was awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 1965, and before 28 March 1973. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period were also eligible for the VSM. 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. Service members who earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for participation in Operation FREQUENT WIND (29 April 1975 to 30 April 1975) may convert their AFEM to the VSM. However, no service member may be issued both medals for service in Vietnam. Moreover, there is no documentation in the applicant's limited personnel record to verify he was in the area of eligibility for award of the VSM during the award inclusive period. According the Report on Individual Personnel provided by the applicant, he arrived in Thailand on 5 September 1973, which is after the award inclusive period for the VSM. The applicant's DD Form 214 reflects award of the AFEM. Based on the available documentation it appears the applicant received the AFEM for his service in Korea from 27 January 1971 to 26 February 1972 as the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM) was not established until 2004. As a one-time exception to policy both the KDSM and AFEM are authorized for qualifying service in Korea between 1 October 1966 and 30 June 1974. The applicant contends he served in Thailand from September 1973 to September 1975. While DPSID can confirm the applicant arrived in Thailand in September 1973, due to the limited documentation available in the applicant's official military record, they cannot verify when the applicant departed Thailand. Furthermore, there is no official documentation verifying the applicant deployed from Thailand to Vietnam in support of Operation FREQUENT WIND between 29 April 1975 and 30 April 1975, nor does the applicant claim to have, which further substantiates the AFEM annotated on his DD Form 214 is more likely than not for Korea and not Operation FREQUENT WIND. Notwithstanding the above, the applicant is entitled to the KDSM. Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of his official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 25 April 2014, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 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 took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Should the applicant provide official documentation to substantiate his eligibility for award of the KSM or the VSM, we would be willing to reconsider his requests. Therefore, aside from the administrative correction to add the KDSM to his record, 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 20 November 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR BC-2014- 00456 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 January 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 11 April 2014, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 April 2014.