RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-03763

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served at Korat Air Base, Thailand from July 1973 through June 1974 and should be awarded the VSM.

The VSM is not listed on his DD Form 214.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 17 January 1973, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force.

According to the applicant’s Airman Performance Reports (APR) he was assigned to Korat Air Base, Thailand from 11 July 1974 through 10 Jul 1975.

On 9 April 1976, he was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 2 months, and 23 days of active service.   

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.

The VSM is awarded to all members of the Armed Services who between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973 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.

DP3SP states that after reviewing the applicant’s official military personnel record they were unable to verify award of the VSM.  They noted he served in Thailand between July 1974 and July 1975, however, his dates of service in Thailand are past the award inclusive period for award of the VSM, thus rendering him ineligible for the medal.  Nonetheless, the applicant’s entitlement to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) was verified and his record will be administratively corrected to reflect award of the AFOUA.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 29 April 2016, 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.  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, 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-2015-03763 in Executive Session on 26 July 2016, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03763 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 26 Aug 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 8 Apr 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Apr 16.