RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-00112

XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, dated 4 Jan 73, be corrected to reflect the following:

a.	Foreign Service time in Thailand

b.	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) with combat “V” device (will be administratively corrected to AFOUA w/4th Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster).

c.	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. 

d.	Vietnam Service Medal.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in Thailand for six months beginning on 10 Jul 72 and should be given credit for the Vietnam conflict.   He also believes he is entitled to the Outstanding Unit award with the Combat V device.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was released from the Air Force in the grade of sergeant, serving from 27 Feb 69 to 4 Jan 73.  

According to Special Order T-2023, dated 28 Jun 72, the applicant was projected for a 179 Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to Thailand effective 30 Jun 72.

In a letter date 5 Jul 18, AFPC/DP1SSP advised the applicant that they were able to verify award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters for the applicant’s  service with the 3380th Consolidated Maintenance Squadron per Special Order GB-153, awarded 1970 and Special Order GB-428, awarded 1971, and his service with the 3380 Field Maintenance Squadron per Special Order's GB-428, awarded 1971, GB-490, awarded 1972, and GB-588, awarded 1973.  They were unable to verify any units the applicant was assigned to received award of the V device.  Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM-214.  

AFPC/DP1SSP was unable to verify award of the Vietnam Service Medal or the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  The Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate of Assignments was unable to verify foreign service time in Thailand. Although the applicant provided a request and Authorization for Temporary Duty (AF Form 626), they were unable to locate any official documentation to verify the orders were carried out. 

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisories at Exhibit’s C through D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the application indicating a review of his records and documentation submitted failed to provide any substantiated foreign service in Thailand.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 13 Sep 18 for comment (Exhibit G), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3AM and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Should the applicant provide a copy of a paid travel voucher, the Board would be willing to reconsider his request.  The Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  Moreover, the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application.  The Board finds the application untimely and concludes it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.  Therefore, aside from the administrative corrections, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-00112 in Executive Session on 24 Oct 18:

	Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 4 Jan 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 2 Apr 18.
Exhibit D:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP1SSP, dated 5 Jul 18.
Exhibit E:	Letter, AFPC/DP2STM-214, dated 6 Jul 18.
Exhibit F:	DD Form 215, dated 6 Jul 18.
Exhibit G:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 13 Sep 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.