RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00212 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be amended to reflect: a. His correct service number b. That he served in Vietnam. c. He was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The correction of his service number should be made to any documents or computerized records as the incorrect number could hinder retrieving information. He was advised when he returned from Vietnam that campaign ribbons and medals would not be automatically awarded but had to be requested in writing. At the time, he chose not to request them because he was in the process of being returned stateside for discharge. He has been awarded service connected disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for exposure of Agent Orange and other chemicals during his service in Vietnam and requests the VCM be added to his DD Form 214. The Board should consider his untimely application in the interest of justice as an identity error may hinder retrieval of records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 3 Dec 57, the applicant entered active duty. On 2 Dec 61, he was honorably discharged from active duty after serving 4 years on active duty. In a letter dated 7 Feb 14, AFPC/DPSIRP advised the applicant his service number on his DD Form 214 was correct and a change was not required. The VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73, served for 6 months in South Vietnam during this period; served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of 6 months. _______________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to correct his record to reflect that he served in Vietnam. A review of the documents provided by the applicant and a review of his master personnel records did not contain information that reflects he served in Vietnam. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit D. AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the VCM. There is no official documentation in the applicant’s record to verify he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of 6 months. Furthermore, DPAPP was unable to verify he served in Vietnam; therefore, rendering him ineligible for award of the VCM. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DODM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit E. _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 19 Sep 14, the copies of the Air Force evaluations were provided to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F). As of this date, this office has not received a 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 opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof that he has 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 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- 2014-00212 in Executive Session on 12 Nov 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following pertinent documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 Jan 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIRP, dated 7 Feb 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 12 May 14. Exhibit E. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Jun 14. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Sep 14.