RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS. IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00556 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the “Vietnam Veteran Ribbon” (Vietnam Service Medal, (VSM)) for serving in Thailand. His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty be corrected to show he is a Vietnam Veteran. His Place of Entry on his DD Form 214 be corrected to Montgomery, Alabama, (administratively corrected). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) with reporting period from 25 Nov 73 to 26 Mar 74 is evidence he served at Korat RTAFB, Thailand and should receive the VSM. He entered active duty from Montgomery AL in 1972. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 24 Nov 72, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. From 14 Oct 73 to 24 Apr 74, according to an AFPC/DPAPP memo dated 13 Oct 15 the applicant served in Thailand. On 30 Nov 96, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 24 years and 7 days of active service, which includes 8 years, 8 months, and 8 days of foreign service. According to the DD Form 214, 30 Nov 96 the applicant’s place of entry onto active duty is recorded as Upper Heyford AB, United Kingdom. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility, which are attached at Exhibits C, D, and E. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of awarding the VSM indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The VSM was awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 73. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the VSM. Although the applicant's service in Thailand, from 15 Oct 73 to 25 Apr 74, could be verified, the applicant's dates of service in Thailand are past the award inclusive period for award of the VSM. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. Based on review of the applicant's official military personnel record, it was determined the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant's service from 24 Nov 72 to 30 Nov 96 and were not reflected in his records: • Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/1SOLC & 3BOLC) • Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFGCM w/1 SOLC & 2BOLC) • Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster (AFLSA w/1 SOLC) • Upon final board decision, the applicant’s official record will be administratively corrected. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPAPP reviewed the applicant’s military record and the documentation he provided, and was able to verify and confirm the applicant’s “boots on ground” foreign service time at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, from 15 Apr 74, for 6 months and 11 days. The amount of foreign service time on his DD Form 214, is correct, therefore a correction is not needed. AFPC/DPAPP advised the applicant by a memorandum that specific locations are not annotated to a DD Form 214 and that the memorandum serves as proof of “boots on ground” in Thailand. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit D. AFPC/DPSIPE notified the applicant by memorandum that his place of entry onto active duty could be administratively corrected without referral to the AFBCMR. After reviewing his DD Form 4, Enlistment or Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States, dated 17 Jul 72, AFPC/DPSIPE concurred with the applicant’s request to amend his DD Form 214, Place of Entry into Active Duty, from Upper Heyford AB, UK to Montgomery, Alabama. AFPC/DPSIPE is forwarding a request to amend section 7a on the DD Form 214 to the AFPC Separations/Retirements section. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIPE evaluation is at Exhibit E. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 7 Oct 15 and 15 Oct 15 (Exhibits C, D, 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 to grant award of the VSM and to include the applicant’s specific locations of foreign service on his DD Form 214. 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 the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. The applicant's dates of service in Thailand are past the award inclusive period for award of the VSM. Additionally, the applicant’s foreign service time listed on his DD Form 214 is correct; however, specific locations are not annotated to the DD Form 214. To document the applicant’s service time in Thailand, AFPC/DPAPP has taken administrative action to provide the applicant a “boots-on-ground” letter verifying his service time in Thailand. A review of the applicant’s military personnel record did verify award of the PUC, AFOUA w/1SOLC & 3BOLC, AFGCM w/1 SOLC & 2BOLC and the AFLSA w/1 SOLC is appropriate. Administrative action to correct the applicant’s military record with these awards will be taken by AFPC/DPSOR. As for his remaining request, we note that AFPC/DPSIPE has determined the applicant’s DD Form 214 should be corrected to reflect his place of entry and will correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. 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-2015-00556 in Executive Session on 4 Feb 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 Feb 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 7 Dec 15. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 13 Oct 15. Exhibit E. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIPE, dated 7 Oct 15. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Dec 15.