RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02015 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect: - His service in Vietnam and Korea (Administratively Corrected – “Boots On Ground” letter issued). - All Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons to include any subsequent “Oak Leaf Clusters”. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served as a Loadmaster stationed at Norton Air Force Base, California between 1970 and 1973. During that timeframe he flew supply missions twice a month all over Southeast Asia to include, Vietnam and Korea. He is getting close to retirement age and in an effort to ensure his eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) health benefits, it is critical his DD Form 214 accurately captures his service in a combat zone. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of Mission Orders to Southeast Asia along with pay stubs. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 20 Nov 69. On 6 Jul 73, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 7 months, and 16 days of active service. The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: - Air Medal - National Defense Service Medal - Air Force Good Conduct Medal On 21 Jul 14, AFPC/DPAPP, completed a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record and the documentation provided by the applicant. They confirmed “Boots on Ground” Foreign Service time at U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand, Kadena and Yokota Air Bases, Japan, Hickam Air Base, Hawaii, Tan Son Nhut and DaNang Air Bases, Republic of Vietnam, and Kwang Ju Air Base, Republic of Korea. Since specific locations are not annotated on a member’s DD Form 214, they have issued a “Boots on Ground” letter. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for award of any “Oak Leaf Cluster” as they were unable to verify any awards and decorations the applicant had been awarded met the criteria for an addition of an oak leaf cluster. The Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster is issues to denote subsequent awards as indicated in the criteria for those awards and decorations that are authorized a device. Based on their review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were able to determine that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during his service and are not reflected in his records: - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Korean Defense Service Medal - Vietnam Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm - Vietnam Campaign Medal Administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 19 Sep 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 an 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. 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 the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02015 in Executive Session on 7 Apr 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02015 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 May 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 21 Jul 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 Aug 14. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Sep 14.