RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04798 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect his award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was awarded the requested medals; however, they are not reflected on his DD Form 214. He needs proof of his service in Vietnam for a Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) claim. The applicant does not provide any evidence in support of his appeal. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who served on active duty from 29 September 1971 to 26 March 1976. He was honorably discharged in the grade of sergeant (E-4) after serving 4 years, 5 months, and 28 days on active duty of which 10 months and 5 days was Foreign Service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force at Exhibits C and D. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states that after a thorough review of the applicant’s records, they could verify he was assigned to Korat, Thailand, from 15 August 1974 to 19 June 1975 for a total of ten months and five days. His Foreign Service reflected on his DD Form 214 is correct. There is no mention of any time served in Vietnam in his records; therefore, they cannot confirm “boots on the ground” in Vietnam. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the VSM is awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 1965, and before 28 March 1973. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia (Southeast Asia) in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period were eligible for the VSM, provided they were: 1) permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations; 2) permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; 3) actually participated as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; or, 4) served on temporary duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in the Republic of Vietnam or Southeast Asia. Time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in combat operations. The RVCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1) served for six months in South Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973; 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 Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the VSM during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. DPSIDR indicates that the Directorate of Personnel Assignments (DPA) verified the applicant served at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (AFB), Thailand, from 15 August 1974 to 10 June 1975 for a total of ten months and five days. Based on the dates in which the applicant served in Thailand, and the inclusive dates for award of the VSM and RVCM, the applicant is ineligible for both of the requested awards. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The advisory opinions indicate that he could not be awarded the VSM because they indicate his records only reflect he served at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from 15 August 1974 to 10 June 1975. However, the referenced dates are the second time he served in Thailand. He was sent on TDY with the 474th MMS Tactical Fighter Wing in 1972 to Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. He was deployed from Nellis AFB, NV, and served just less than six months. While there, he served as a Weapons Maintenance Technician on a weapons load crew. This time period in Thailand entitles him to the award of the VSM. The applicant’s complete rebuttal, with attachments, is at Exhibit F. _________________________________________________________________ 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 error or injustice. 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the applicant asserts he was TDY to Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, in 1972; however, we find no evidence to support this contention. If the applicant is able to provide source documents, (i.e., travel vouchers, evaluation reports, letters of evaluation, decorations, witness statements, sworn affidavit, etc.) to verify his service in Vietnam, the Board would be willing to reconsider his request. However, in the absence of such evidence, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that 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-2011-04798 in Executive Session on 24 July 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04798: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Nov 11. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 27 Jan 12. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 25 Mar 12. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 Mar 12. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 30 Jun 12, w/atchs.