RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05624
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His record be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following awards:
a. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).
b. Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, does not reflect or credit his service in Korat Thailand due to the job position he held. He has special orders and medical documentation to substantiate he was assigned to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (AFB), Thailand.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicants military personnel records indicate that he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 17 July 1969.
The applicant provided a Standard Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care, which reflects entries for 7 May 1974 and 19 September 1974 at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand.
On 27 March 1984, the applicant was furnished an under other than honorable conditions discharge and was credited with 14 years, 8 months, and 10 days of active service.
On 16 January 2013, 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 that he was permanently assigned at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand from approximately 5 February 1974 to 4 February 1975. AFPC/DPAPP further indicated his DD Form 214 already reflects the correct amount of foreign service and since specific locations are not annotated, no corrections are needed. He was provided a boots-on-the-ground letter for Thailand.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. Although the applicant served in Thailand, his dates of service (5 February 1974 through 4 February 1975) are after the award inclusive period for both the VSM and VCM, rendering him ineligible. The VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who, between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, served in Vietnam, its waters and airspace, or in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or the airspace there over. The VCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973, served for six months in South Vietnam during this period or served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of 6 months. In either case, the applicants service in Thailand took place after the inclusive periods of the awards and he is therefore ineligible. To grant the applicant the requested relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and 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 14 April 2013 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).
________________________________________________________________
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 applicants complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendations of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. While we note that AFPC/DPAPP verified the applicants foreign service in Thailand, said service took place after the inclusive dates of the requested awards. Therefore, while we are not unmindful of the applicants service to the nation, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.
________________________________________________________________
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-2012-05624 in Executive Session on 19 September 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 29 November 2012, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 March 2013.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 April 2013.
Chair
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