RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01340 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect award of the: 1. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 2. Vietnam Counter Offensive Campaign II. 3. Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM). 4. National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). 5. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). 6. Air Force Overseas Ribbon (AFOSR). 7. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) (Administratively Corrected). 8. Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) (Administratively Corrected). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, block 24, does not mention decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations and campaign ribbons. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, on 4 Aug 65, he enlisted in the Regular Air Force and served until 6 Jan 69, then transferred to the Air Force Reserves (AFRES). He was credited with three years, five months, and three days of total active service. On 10 Aug 71, the applicant received an honorable discharge from the AFRES, effective 3 Aug 71. The Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II campaign is a Department of Defense (DoD) recognized campaign for the period of 1 Jul 66 through 31 May 67 associated with eligibility for the VSM, provided a member meets the award eligibility criteria. It is not an official award or decoration of the USAF, DoD, or any other United States government entity. 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 C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the AFAM indicating they were unable to locate a Special Order (SO), certificate or recommendation to verify the applicant was recommended for or awarded the AFAM. The SO is the official source document for verification of award of decorations. DPSID also recommends denial of the VSM indicating there was no official documentation in the applicant's record nor was any provided to verify he served in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam or 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; or served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in the area of eligibility for award of the VSM. Additionally, DPSID recommends denial of the AFOSR indicating the applicant separated several years prior to the award dates and is therefore ineligible for award of the AFOSR. Lastly, DPSID recommends denial of the RVCM indicating they were unable to locate official documentation in the applicant's record to verify he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of six months for award of the RVCM. After a thorough review of the applicant's official military personnel record, DPSID was able to verify award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V), NDSM, AFGCM, and the RVNGC w/P. AFPC/DPSOR will administratively correct the applicant’s official military personnel record to reflect award of the AFOUA w/V, AFGCM, and the RVNCG w/P. The applicant was awarded the NDSM as annotated on his DD Form 214, dated 6 Jan 69. The AFAM was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 12 Oct 80 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States and foreign military personnel, below the rank of Colonel, after 30 Sep 81 who while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement. The VSM is 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. 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 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 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 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. The AFOSR was authorized by Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, on 12 Oct 80. The ribbon was authorized to be awarded to Air Force and Air Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 Sep 80. Only individuals serving on active duty as of 6 Jan 86 are eligible to have the AFOSR applied retroactively for completion of an overseas tour. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 21 Sep 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant award of the VSM, AFAM, AFOSR or the RVCM. 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 OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Additionally, we note that the Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II campaign is not an official award or decoration of the USAF or DoD and is not awarded or issued by the United States Government; rather, it is a recognized campaign associated with eligibility for the VSM, provided a member meets the award eligibility criteria. Lastly, we note the applicant requested the NDSM be added to his DD Form 214. However, this award is already annotated on the applicant’s DD Form 214. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application 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-2015-01340 in Executive Session on 8 Dec 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01340 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 26 Mar 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 10 Aug 15, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Sep 15.