RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03298

	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1. He be awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM).  (Administratively resolved)

2. He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served honorably and earned the AFGCM.  His tour at Clark AB, Philippines, in support of Vietnam operations and his temporary duty assignment to Udorn AB, Thailand, should qualify him for the VSM.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was honorably discharged 21 May 67.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisories at Exhibits C, D, and E.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the application regarding correcting the applicant’s DD Form 214 to reflect service in Vietnam and Thailand.  They were able to verify or confirm the applicants foreign service/boots on ground at Clark AB, Philippines, but unable to verify any foreign service in Thailand.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application regarding award of the VSM.  They were unable to locate any official documentation to verify he met the criteria for award of the VSM.  Although he did provide a Temporary Duty Order (AF form 626) directing temporary duty to Udon RTAFE, Thailand, on or about 27 Jan 67 for approximately 2 days, they could not find any official documentation to verify he was in the area of eligibility.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends no action required regarding award of the AFGCM.  They were able to determine the AFGCM should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 17 Sep 63 to 21 May 67 and was not reflected in his records.  The applicant’s record was administratively corrected.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit E.   

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent copies of the Air Force evaluations to the applicant on 6 Sep 17 for comment (Exhibit F), and the applicant replied on 12 Oct 17.  In his response, the applicant contended that no reimbursable expenses were incurred for his travel to Udorn RTAFE, Thailand.  He has a service friend that is willing to testify to his travel to Udorn RTAFE.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit G.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions warranting award of the VSM.  Notwithstanding the above, we note and agree with AFPC/DP3SP’s determination the AFGCM should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 17 Sep 63 to 21 May 67 and was not reflected in his records.  The applicant’s official military records will be administratively corrected to reflect award of the AFGCM.  The Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  Moreover, the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application.  The Board finds the application untimely and concludes it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records beyond that rendered administratively.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-03298 in Executive Session on 26 Jun 18:

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149s, w/atchs, dated 11 Aug 16, and 3 Aug 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 30 Dec 16.
Exhibit D:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 31 Jul 17.
Exhibit E:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, w/atch, dated 6 Sep 17.
Exhibit F:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 25 Sep 17.
Exhibit G:	Applicant’s response, dated 12 Oct 17

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9, pertaining to Docket Number BC-2016-03298.