RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04787 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Report of Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect: 1. Block 19 - Indochina or Korea Service since August 5, 1964 as “Yes” rather than “No.” 2. Block 26 – Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons awarded or authorized be amended to include the Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) (administratively resolved), National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) (administratively resolved), Combat Readiness Medal (CRM) (administratively resolved), Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) (administratively resolved), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) (administratively resolved), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P) (administratively resolved) and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in Southeast Asia in support of the Vietnam Conflict from 1971 to 1973 and again in 1975. These items were not annotated on his DD Form 214. He is seeking benefits through the Department Veterans Affairs (DVA) and needs his DD Form 214 corrected to reflect he was a combat veteran in Vietnam. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects he served on active duty from 2 Jun 70 through 14 Nov 78, and was credited with 8 years, 5 months, and 13 days of active service. By letter dated 26 Jan 15, AFPC/DPAPP notified the applicant that his foreign service boots on ground in Thailand was verified and confirmed. Also, they were able to verify he performed several temporary duty assignments (TDY) in Vietnam, but could not determine the exact amount of time of any of these TDY assignments. His foreign service was accurately reflected on his DD Form 214. Lastly, he was instructed to use the letter as proof of “boots on ground” for Thailand and Vietnam, since specific locations are not annotated on the DD Form 214. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. There was no official documentation located to verify the applicant served in the area of eligibility (AOE) in support of an operation for which the AFEM was authorized. The AFEM is awarded to service members who, after 1 Jul 58, participated in a military operation and encountered foreign armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action by foreign armed forces, even though it did not materialize. Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that participated in or engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive or for 60 non- consecutive days and provided the support in the AOE. These time requirements may be waived if the service member was wounded or injured and required medical evacuation from the AOE. The AFEM was awarded for participation in Operation FREQUENT WIND from 29-30 Apr 75. Service members may, upon application, convert their AFEM to the VSM. However, no service member may be issued both medals for service in Vietnam. After review of the applicant’s military personnel record, his award of the CRM, NDSM, VSM with Bronze Service Stars, VNGC with Palm, VCM, and SAEMR were verified and his records will be administratively corrected to reflect these awards. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 9 Jul 15 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 timely filed. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. The applicant requested that Block 19 on his DD Form 214 be amended to reflect service in Indochina or Korea. The policy governing the DD Form 214 at the time of the applicant’s discharge indicates that Yes or No is annotated on the DD Form 214 when the service member was “stationed” in the countries of Indochina, Korea, or Vietnam in a Permanent Change of Station capacity. There was no evidence showing the applicant was permanently stationed in the countries of Indochina, Korea, or Vietnam. The applicant also requested award of the AFEM; however, there was no evidence provided or located showing he served in the AOE in support of an operation authorized for the AFEM. 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 OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. 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-2014-04787 in Executive Session on 9 Sep 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04787 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Nov 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Jul 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Jul 15.