RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03859 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, Block 19, Indochina or Korea Service Since August 5, 1964, be corrected to reflect his service in Udorn Thailand. His DD Form 214 be corrected to include any missing Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was assigned to the 432nd Organizational Maintenance Squadron at Udorn, Thailand between Oct 74 and Jul 75. He participated in combat operations in both Cambodia and South Vietnam. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 28 Aug 72. The applicant’s record contain two AF Form 910s, TSGT, SSGT AND SGT PERFORMANCE REPORTS, which cover the period between 29 Aug 74 and 15 Jul 75; these documents list the applicant’s Organization, Location and Command as: “Udorn, RTAFB, Thailand (PACAF). On 27 Aug 76, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge, and was credited with four years of active service. The applicant’s DD Form 214, dated 27 Aug 76, reflects Foreign Service totaling 11 months and 21 days. It also lists the award of the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: - National Defense Service Medal - Air Force Good Conduct Medal - Air Force Longevity Service Award The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum 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. Information in the applicant’s official military personnel records did not contain information that verified any foreign service in Thailand. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) was 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. The Vietnam Campaign Medal (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. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were unable to verify award of the VSM or the VCM. While they were able to confirm he was assigned to Udorn, Thailand between 29 Aug 74 and 15 Jul 75; these dates are after the inclusive eligibility period for both medals. 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 1 May 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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. While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years ago, in our view, the reasonable date of discovery of the alleged error or injustice was more than three years ago and the application is therefore untimely; however, it is in the interest of justice to waive the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with regard to any Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons he may be entitled to. 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 AFPC/DPSID and adopt their rationale that although the applicant served in Thailand between 29 Aug 74 and 15 Jul 75; these dates are past the window of eligibility for the award of the VSM or VCM. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 4. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to warrant corrective action to reflect service in Udorn Thailand. While we note AFPC/DPAPP indicated no information was available in the applicant’s official military personnel record to verify any foreign service in Thailand, we note that the applicant’s EPRs reflect he was in Thailand and DPSID has also confirmed his assignment to Udorn, Thailand, and therefore we believe sufficient evidence has been presented to correct his DD Form 214 to reflect his service in Thailand. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that the DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, Block 19, Indochina or Korea Service Since August 5, 1964, be amended to read “Yes”. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03859 in Executive Session on 21 Jul 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03859 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Sep 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 16 Dec 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 29 Jan 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 May 15.