RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04510 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect his service in Thailand (administratively corrected). His Air Force Form 7, Airman Military Record, Section 10, Award, be corrected to reflect the Outstanding Munitions Maintenance Squadron Mechanic Award. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was sent on a temporary duty assignment (TDY) to Southeast Asia, during the period of 20 November 1969 to 16 February 1970, as documented on his AF Form 7. Upon arrival, he was assigned to Detachment (Det) 1, 56 Special Operations Wing (SOW) in Thailand. However, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) indicates Thailand is not annotated in his records. Although, he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH), his service in Thailand was never acknowledged. If his service in Laos was acknowledged, surely his TDY to Thailand should be recognized. He was awarded the Outstanding Munitions Maintenance Squadron Mechanic Award for the month of April and for the Quarter ending 30 April 1968. However, the award was never forwarded through the proper channels. Also, he was told that he would receive a plaque honoring him and he never received the plaque. It would be nice to receive at least a certificate. He was told not to say anything about Laos; however, he wanted to show his wife what he had for dinner so he sent her the Christmas menu that was on his bed when he returned from Laos. Although, he does not have much proof that he was assigned to Det 1 56 SOW; his records shows that he was somewhere in Southeast Asia between 20 November to December and 2 January to 16 February 1970. He discovered these errors while putting together a book for his grandsons to one day see and read about his military records and official awards received during his service. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 13 July 1966. On 10 July 1970, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 4 years, 1 month, and 2 days of active service. On 22 February 2016, the AFBCMR professional staff provided AFPC/DPAPP additional documents submitted by the applicant and requested their review of his eligibility for service in Vietnam and Thailand. On 15 March 2016, AFPC/DPAPP notified the applicant that after a complete review of his official military records and the documentation he provided, they were able to verify and confirm his foreign service time in the Republic of Vietnam, from 27 November 1967 to 30 November 1968, for 1 year and 3 days, as well as, Thailand, from 20 November 1969 to 16 February 1970 for 2 months and 29 days. He was provided a “boots-on-ground” letter for Vietnam and Thailand. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibit C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request for his records to reflect his service in Thailand. Based upon the unavailability of his master personnel records and the limited documentation provided, foreign service time in Thailand cannot be substantiated. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request to amend his AF Form 7 to reflect his selection for the Outstanding Munitions Maintenance Squadron Mechanic Award. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, verification was made that the applicant received the award during the month of April and for the Quarter ending 30 April 1968. However, the award is a base level award and not an official award of the United States Air Force. The award is not updated to the applicant’s official military record by way of being annotated on the AF Form 7 or the DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: His request for his records to reflect his service in Thailand was disapproved because AFPC/DPAPP indicated the information provided and his master personnel records did not show service time in Thailand. However, he received a letter from AFPC/DPSID, dated 8 August 2014, indicating that after a thorough review of his official military personnel records it was determined he was eligible for several awards and medals due to his service in Vietnam during the period of 27 November 1967 and 27 November 1968. In addition, it indicated he served in Laos from approximately December 1969 to January 1970. The letter fails to address the fact that he was awarded the Purple Heart based upon wounds documented in his health records which was generated on 1 January 1970 at Nakhon Phanon RTAF, Thailand. Also, his Air Force Form 7, Airman Military Record, shows temporary duty from 20 November 1969 to 16 February 1970 to Southeast Asia (SEA). If he was not in Thailand and Laos during this time, where could he have been? The applicant indicated that he was a member of the 2951st Combat Logistics Support Group assigned to the T-28 aircraft rapid area maintenance (RAM) team. His deployment to Detachment 1, 56 Special Operations Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand was cut short due to his wounds sustained in Laos. His documentation clearly shows he did have boots-on-the-ground in Thailand. The applicant’s complete responses, with attachments, are at Exhibit F. 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 AFPC/DPSID and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief. With regard to the applicant’s request for his record to reflect service in Thailand, based on the applicant’s additional documentation submitted with his rebuttal, AFPC/DPAPP was able to verify his service in Thailand and Vietnam and has since been provided a “boots on ground” letter”. Therefore, Board action on this portion of his request is not necessary. 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-2014-04510 in Executive Session on 12 November 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Forms 149, dated 30 October 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 19 May 2015. Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 14 September 2015. Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 October 2015. Exhibit F.  Letters, Applicant, dated 3 November 2015, 12 January 2016, and 27 January 2015 (sic).