RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS. IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01417 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 he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in Thailand for 9 months during the Vietnam War. He was never issued the VSM. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Air Force who served from 9 October 1968 through 21 May 1976 when he was honorably discharged. Upon review of the applicant’s master personnel record, it was determined he should be awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three Bronze Oak Leaf clusters and the Air Force Longevity Service Award. His records will be updated upon final Board action. 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. The Vietnam Service Medal 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 also were eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal. 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 days or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. After a thorough review of the applicant's official military personnel record, his service in U-Tapao Airfield Thailand between November 1973 and June 1974 was verified. However, his service dates in Thailand are past the inclusive dates for the award of the Vietnam Service Medal; therefore, he is ineligible for the award. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 3 November 2015 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 error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the recommendation of AFPC/DPSID and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that administratively corrected is not warranted. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief sought in this application. 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-2015-01417 in Executive Session on 14 January 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 Apr 15, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 6 Oct 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Nov 15.