RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-03188

  						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following:

Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), 

Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM), 

Any other medals, ribbons, or commendations due for his service in Indochina and continental United States (CONUS).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was stationed in Thailand from Mar 73 to Mar 74 and did not receive the proper decoration recognition (VSM or VCM) on his DD Form 214.  Furthermore, he was unaware of his right to correct these errors until recently visiting his Veteran Service Officer.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 8 Mar 71.

According to the applicant’s AF Forms 910, TSgt, SSgt and Sgt Performance Report, for the periods of supervision from 15 Nov 72 to 26 Aug 73 and 27 Aug 73 to 13 Feb 74, the applicant was assigned with the 432nd Security Police Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.  Furthermore, his AF Form 77a, Supplemental Sheet to AF Form 77, from 15 Nov 72 to 30 Jan 73, reflects the applicant was assigned with the 381st Security Police Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kansas.

On 7 Mar 71, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, was credited with four years of active service, and one year and one day of foreign service.  

The VSM was awarded to all members of the Armed Services who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: Vietnam and its contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.  To be eligible, a service member must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days with an organization participating in or directly support ground (military) operations; or have directly participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; or, 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 was awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73, served for six 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 six months.  Only members of the United States Armed Forces who meet the criteria establish for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal 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 and 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 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/DP3SP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s record, AFPC/DP3SP was unable to verify award of the VSM or VCM.  Based on the AF Forms 910, AF Form 77a, and the applicant-provided pay statements, there is no record he was in Thailand for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days prior to 28 Mar 73 for the award of the VSM or for 6 months prior to 28 Mar 73 for the award of the VCM.  The applicant’s AF Form 77a confirms he was not serving in Thailand as of 28 Jan 73.  However, AFPC/DP3SP was able to determine that the below medals and/or ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant's service and were not reflected in his records. Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s record will be completed to reflect:
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA)
• Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA)
• Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 13 Apr 16 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 timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice beyond the relief provided administratively.  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.  Therefore, aside from the administrative corrections noted above, we find no basis to recommend granting the additional 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-2015-03188 in Executive Session on 8 Dec 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03188 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Jul 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 8 Apr 16, w/atch.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 13 Apr 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.