RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03386

	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

	1) The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) (administratively corrected)

	2) Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM),

	3) Any other awards, decorations or ribbons, and

	4) Assignments/time served in Vietnam and Thailand be reflected (already annotated). 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her time served and her awards were omitted in error from her original DD Form 214.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a retired Air Force master sergeant.

On 6 Dec 73, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge; however, she continued to serve.  Her DD Form 214 indicated:

	1)  3 years of active service,

	2)  1 year and 21 days foreign service,

	3)  37 days Vietnam and 27 days Thailand, and

	4) The VSM.

On 31 Aug 91, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 11 years, 8 months, and 24 days of active service to include 5 years, 1 month, and 21 days foreign service.

On 9 Dec 16, AFPC/DP3AM issued a “boots on ground” letter to the applicant verifying foreign service in Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan, the Republic of Vietnam, and Thailand.  (See Exhibit C).

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP has completed an administrative correction for the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM s/1BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P).

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application for the VCM.  The VCM is awarded to members 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 who meet the criteria established for the VSM during the period service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.  There is no official documentation in the personnel records to verify she served an aggregate of six months in the area of eligibility for award of the VCM.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 30 Oct 17 for comment (Exhibit E), but has received no response.

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 reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant has not presented evidence sufficient to demonstrate an error or injustice beyond the relief provided administratively.  In particular, the Board notes APFC/DP3AM provided a “boots on ground” letter substanstiating her service in Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand and AFPC/DP3SP will administratively correct her record to reflect the award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  However, the Board further agrees with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contention for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  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 delay.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice beyond relief provided administratively, the remainder of her 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-2016-03386 in Executive Session on 16 May 18:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 16 Aug 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 09 Dec 16.
Exhibit D:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, w/atch, 05 Oct 17.
Exhibit E:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 30 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.