RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00580 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He receive awards for support of Operation NICKEL GRASS. 2. His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect all the units that he served in while overseas. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His records should specifically list the decorations that he is entitled to due to his support of Operation NICKLE GRASS. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 9 Jun 71. On 7 Jun 75, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 29 days of active service, which included 2 years and 2 months of foreign service. On 12 Mar 14, AFPC/DPAPP notified the application of their determination that he had "boots on the ground" in Taiwan and Portugal and that no correction to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, was required as he was credited with two years and two months of foreign service, which likely represented the time he was assigned to Portugal and Taiwan. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility, which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for awards in support of Operation NICKEL GRASS. The 1605th Air Base Wing earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) for its effort during Operation NICKEL GRASS for the period 14 Oct 73 through 14 Nov 73. However, the applicant was assigned to the 1605th Air Base Wing between 15 Feb 74 and 14 Feb 75. Therefore, although the applicant was assigned to the 1605th Air Base Wing, his dates of service are outside the award inclusive period for award of the AFOUA for support of Operation NICKEL GRASS. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. A review of the applicant’s records revealed that he should have been entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and the applicant’s records will be corrected administratively following the Board’s consideration of his case. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. DoDI 1336.01 and governing Air Force instructions and policy do not authorize the listing of duty history or mention of deployments/service on foreign soil, on the DD Form 214. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 18 Aug 14 for review and comment within 30 days. In response, the applicant has submitted a rebuttal (Exhibit E). 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 an error or injustice warranting correction of the applicant’s records to reflect his entitlement to awards in support of Operation NICKEL GRASS. 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice with respect to NICKEL GRASS. As for his request to correct his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, to reflect his units of assignment during his overseas service, we are not convinced he is the victim of an error or injustice in this regard. In this respect, we note the comments of AFPC/DPSOR indicating that such information is not authorized for entry on a DD Form 214. We also note that AFPC/DPAPP has issued the applicant a “boots on the ground” letter to documents his foreign service. Therefore, in view of the fact that such information is not appropriate for inclusion on the DD Form 214, we believe the letter provided to the applicant on this point by AFPC/DPAPP constitutes full and fitting relief. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and will correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2014-00580 in Executive Session on 11 Dec 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 04 Feb 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 12 Mar 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 12 Jun 14. Exhibit E. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 21 Jul 14 Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Aug 14.