RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00828 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) be added to his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) be added to his DD Form 214. His service time in the Republic of Vietnam be added to his DD Form 214. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam from June 1968 through December 1968 and was awarded the aforementioned medals. However, neither of these medals nor his Vietnam service is reflected on his DD Form 214. 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 19 October 1965 through 7 February 1969. His DD Form 214 does not reflect Foreign and/or Sea service. THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s requests for the VSM and VCM. The VSM is awarded to all 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 or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. The VCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973 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 VSM 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 January 1973, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 January 1973 to 28 March 1973. The applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements for the aforementioned awards. Moreover, the Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate of Assignments was unable to verify the applicant served in Vietnam. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoD Manual 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to add Vietnam service to his DD Form 214. The applicant’s master personnel records and documentation submitted failed to substantiate Foreign Service in Vietnam. The complete DPAPP advisory is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 25 March 2015, copies of the Air Force evaluations were 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 opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 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 May 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36- 2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-00828 in Executive Session on Tuesday, 12 May 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 April 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 February 2015, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 10 March 2015. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 March 2015.