RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-00108
		
	COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO




APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect:

1.  His temporary duty (TDY) at Udorn, Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAB), Thailand, from 29 Jul 72 to 1 Nov 72.

2.  Award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) with palm [sic] (Administratively resolved).

3.  Award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) (Administratively resolved).

4.  He be provided the date and origin of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) listed on his DD Form 214.



APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

During his deployment to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, in support of Operation Linebacker from 29 Jul 72 to 1 Nov 72, his unit won an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA).  His DD Form 214 should be corrected to reflect this period of time deployed to Thailand, as well as award of the AFOUA, the VSM w/P and the RVNGC w/V.  

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.



STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 4 Apr 69. 

On 15 Feb 73, the applicant was released from the Regular Air Force, transferred to the Air Force Reserve, and credited with 3 years, 10 months, and 12 days of total active service.

On 23 Jan 75, the applicant commenced another period of active service and served on active duty until 7 Apr 77, when he was honorably discharged and credited with 6 years and 27 days of total active service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C and D.



AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request that his DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect his TDY at Udorn, Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAB), Thailand, from 29 Jul 72 to 1 Nov 72.  AFPC/DPAPP was unable to verify the amount of time, 29 Jul 72 to 1 Nov 72, that the applicant’s claims to have been assigned in Thailand.  However, that office was able to verify and confirm the applicant’s foreign service boots on ground at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, from 5 Sep 72 to 9 Oct 72.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for the award AFOUA.  In their research of the applicant’s records for the date and origin of the AFOUA listed on his DD Form 214 per his request, they were unable to verify any units the applicant served with were ever awarded the AFOUA.  However, AFPC/DPSID was able to determine that the VSM with one Bronze Service Star (BSS) and the RVNGC w/P should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 4 Apr 69 to 15 Feb 73.  No action required by the Board, as the applicant’s official military personnel record will be administratively corrected.  

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 28 Jul 14 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; 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 regarding the applicant’s request that his DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect his TDY at Udorn, Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAB), Thailand, from 29 Jul 72 to 1 Nov 72.  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/DPPAP and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  As for the applicant’s request that he be notified of the inclusive period for which he was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA), we note the comments of AFPC/DPSID indicating that their review of the record revealed no documentation that would indicate the applicant was assigned to a unit that was awarded the AFOUA and is therefore unable to confirm the award period.  Therefore, as the applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects he was awarded the AFOUA, even though we are unable to verify how he qualified for said award, we are not convinced that further action is required in this respect.  We note that AFPC/DPAPP was able to verify and confirm the applicant’s foreign service boots on ground time at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, from 5 Sep 72 to 9 Oct 72, and will administratively correct the applicant’s military personnel records to reflect such.  We also note that AFPC/DPSID, in their research of the applicant’s military records, was able to determine that the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1 BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 4 Apr 69 to 15 Feb 73 and will correct his records administratively.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting any 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-2014-00108 in Executive Session on 27 Jan 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 4 Jan 14, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 6 Feb 14.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 Apr 14, 
	            w/atch.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Jul 14.

						



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