RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04526 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NOT INDICATED

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Report of Separation, block 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized be corrected to add the following:

a.	Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).
b.	Foreign Service time in Thailand.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His Vietnam and Thailand service needs to be added to his DD Form 214.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 26 Sep 69.

According to the DD Form 214, provided by the applicant, he was previously awarded the VSM and was credited with one year and three months of Foreign Service time.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial indicating the information in the limited Master Personnel Records (MPR) and the documents provided by the applicant failed to substantiate he served in Vietnam.

DPAPP was unable to verify the exact Foreign Service on the applicant, nor could they determine Foreign Service time in Vietnam. However, they were able to determine the applicant served

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

in Thailand on 21 Dec 70, based on the documentation he provided, but unable to determine any other service.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit B.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 14 Jul 16, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DP3SP makes no recommendation, indicating without an official MPR to review and validate official information, they are unable to provide an appropriate recommendation for award of the VSM.

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 were also 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; be 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 or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations, have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or
60 nonconsecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit D.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 27 Dec 16, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit 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 timely filed.
1.	

3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. The applicant requests his DD Form 214, be amended to add the VSM. We note his DD Form 214 issued in conjunction with his 25 Sep 73, release from active duty accurately reflects award of the VSM. However, there was no evidence found or located to substantiate award of an additional VSM. Regarding the applicant’s request for Foreign Service time in Thailand, as pointed out by AFPC/DPAPP, they were able to determine Foreign Service time in Thailand, but unable to determine any other service. Therefore, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force Offices of Primary Responsibilities (OPRs) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

4.	The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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-2015-04526 in Executive Session on 9 Mar 17, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair Member Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04526 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 20 Oct 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 22 Jun 16. Exhibit C.	Letter, AFBCMR, dated 14 Jul 16.
Exhibit D.	Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 18 Dec 16. Exhibit E.	Letter, AFBCMR, dated 27 Dec 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.