RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02256 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be assisted in validating and obtaining any ribbons and letters of commendation from his time on active duty. Further, his records are missing documentation of Temporary Duty (TDY) time in Vietnam. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: When he applied for a copy of the ribbons and letter of commendation he was awarded during his military service, he discovered his records in St. Louis, MO, contain no documentation of his time spent in Vietnam. He was an aircraft mechanic from 1966 to 1970 and served in Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam. While TDY to Japan, he supported missions into Vietnam in response to the Tet Offensive. On one particular mission, he was recommended for an Air Medal for ensuring his aircraft was airworthy enough to complete the mission and return the crew home safely, but only received a letter of commendation (for which he is requesting a copy of). He was then assigned to Thailand for 15 months and continued performing missions into Vietnam. Unfortunately, he kept no mementos or documentation of his military service and is seeking the Board’s help in providing copies of his treasured accomplishments. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 8 Aug 66, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force. The applicant’s AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, documents foreign service time in Taiwan from 11 Apr 69 to 11 Jul 70. On 9 Jul 70, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 2 days of active service, which included 1 year, 2 months, and 28 days of foreign service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. After a review of the applicant’s record, only evidence of foreign service in Thailand could be verified; no evidence of foreign service in Vietnam or Japan could be verified. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice to award the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) or the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). The VSM is awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 73. Additionally, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal. There was no official documentation in the applicant's record, to verify he was attached or assigned to a unit for one or more days or served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in the area of eligibility for award of the VSM. With regards to the VCM, the VCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 served for 6 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 6 months. Only members of the United States Armed Forces who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the VSM during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length of service required, but who, during wartime, were: wounded by the enemy (in a military action), captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released, killed in action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. There is no official documentation within the applicant's official military record verifying he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of 6 months in support of the Vietnam Armed Forces for award of the VCM. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide him a copy of the Letter of Commendation he requested because there is no documentation of such letter in his official military personnel record. Additionally, based on the documentation contained in the applicant’s record, he meets the eligibility criteria for two unit awards; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1 BOLC) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and the awards were not reflected in his records. Upon final board decision, the applicant's official military personnel record will be administratively corrected to reflect these awards. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 27 Oct 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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. 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 of injustice. As for his request for copies of certain excerpts of his military personnel records, inasmuch as this Board is not the custodian for military personnel records, the applicant should seek copies of his records through the National Personnel Records Center. We note that AFPC/DPSIDR has verified the applicant’s entitlement to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1 BOLC) and 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-2014-02256 in Executive Session on 25 Feb 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02256 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 May 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 30 Jul 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 8 Oct 14. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Oct 14.