RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02671 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 14 May 76 separation, be amended to read in Item 19, Indochina or Korea service since August 5, 1964, “Yes” rather than “No.” APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214 states that he served one year in Southeast Asia (SEA) and believes that service in Thailand makes him eligible for this correction. The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider his untimely application because this provides additional evidence of his qualification to receive the ribbons/awards he requested under his previous application; BC-2013-04566. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 15 May 1972 to 14 May 1976. He was credited with 4 years of active service, including one year of Foreign and/or Sea Service. On 29 Jul 14, the Board denied his request for award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM); the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P); the Air Force Overseas Ribbon (AFOR) - Long Tour; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V), and the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). DPSID verified the applicant's entitlement to the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFSLA) and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (Basic). DPSID directed his records be administrative corrected after the initial Board action. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends the board review the documentation provided to determine the amount of time spent in Thailand. DPAPP notes that a review of the applicant’s Master Personnel Records (MPR) and documentation submitted provides proof the applicant was assigned in Thailand, but fails to provide the length of time spent in Thailand and if the service was in a temporary status or permanent status. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 23 Jan 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. We note the comments of AFPC/DPAPP indicating that based on the documentation in the applicant’s records the applicant served in Thailand; however, they could not determine the length of time the applicant was there. The applicant’s record indicates that he was stationed in Thailand when he visited the medical clinic in Feb 74, requested marriage counseling in Jun 74, promoted to A1C in Aug 74, and married in Oct 74. His DD Form 214 reflects a year of foreign service and his Date Eligible for Return from Overseas (DEROS) was 17 Jan 75. Consequently, while we cannot determine with any certainty, by official documentation, how long the applicant was there, the preponderance of the evidence supports finding he arrived in Thailand on 18 Jan 74 and departed on 17 Jan 75. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that: a. His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 14 May 76 separation, be amended to read in Item 19, Indochina or Korea service since August 5, 1964, “Yes.” b. He had boots on the ground in Thailand from 18 Jan 74 to 17 Jan 75. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02671 in Executive Session on 14 Apr 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 27 Jun 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Pertinent Excerpts from Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 8 Dec 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Jan 15.