RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04451 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be 
corrected to show entitlement to the following medals and 
ribbons: 

 

 1. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

 

 2. The Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour (AFOR-ST). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He served as an Air Traffic Controller at Udorn Air Force Base, 
Thailand, from Dec 73 to Dec 74, controlling flights and Air 
America aircraft in support of Vietnam. 

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and other Veterans’ 
groups acknowledge service until 1975. 

 

He qualifies for the AFOR-ST as his travel orders state “Short 
Tour Unaccompanied” to Udorn AFB, Thailand. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force from 
3 Mar 70 to 12 Mar 77. His DD Form 214 reflects a total of 
7 years and 10 months of total active service, with 1 year and 
2 months of Foreign Service. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for 
entitlement to the VSM and AFOR-ST. The VSM is awarded to all 
service members of the Armed Services who between 4 Jul 65 and 
28 Mar 73, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: 
Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, 



Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct 
support of military operations in Vietnam for 30 consecutive or 
60 non-consecutive days. 

 

DPSID states they were unable to locate documentation verifying 
the applicant served in Thailand. Also, that the dates he 
contends he served in Thailand, were outside of the award 
inclusive period for award of the VSM. 

 

The AFOR-ST was authorized by the Chief of Staff, United States 
Air Force, on 12 Oct 80. The ribbon was awarded to Air Force and 
Air Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas 
tour on or after 1 Sep 80. Only individuals serving on active 
duty as of 6 Jan 86 are eligible to have the AFOR applied 
retroactively for completion of an overseas tour. 

 

DPSID states that the applicant’s service dates render him 
ineligible for award of the AFOR-ST as he separated several years 
before the award was authorized. 

 

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 8 Feb 13, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to 
the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). 
As of this date, this office has received no response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. Therefore, in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, 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 Docket Number 
BC-2012-04451 in Executive Session on 21 May 13, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Sep 12, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 Jan 13. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Feb 13.