RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02256

					COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be assisted in validating and obtaining any ribbons and letters 
of commendation from his time on active duty.  Further, his 
records are missing documentation of Temporary Duty (TDY) time in 
Vietnam.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

When he applied for a copy of the ribbons and letter of 
commendation he was awarded during his military service, he 
discovered his records in St. Louis, MO, contain no documentation 
of his time spent in Vietnam.  He was an aircraft mechanic from 
1966 to 1970 and served in Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam.  While 
TDY to Japan, he supported missions into Vietnam in response to 
the Tet Offensive.  On one particular mission, he was recommended 
for an Air Medal for ensuring his aircraft was airworthy enough to 
complete the mission and return the crew home safely, but only 
received a letter of commendation (for which he is requesting a 
copy of).  He was then assigned to Thailand for 15 months and 
continued performing missions into Vietnam.  Unfortunately, he 
kept no mementos or documentation of his military service and is 
seeking the Board’s help in providing copies of his treasured 
accomplishments.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 8 Aug 66, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air 
Force.

The applicant’s AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, documents 
foreign service time in Taiwan from 11 Apr 69 to 11 Jul 70.



On 9 Jul 70, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, 
and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 2 days of active 
service, which included 1 year, 2 months, and 28 days of foreign 
service.

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


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or an injustice.  After a review of the applicant’s 
record, only evidence of foreign service in Thailand could be 
verified; no evidence of foreign service in Vietnam or Japan could 
be verified.

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

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or an injustice to award the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) 
or the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).  The VSM is awarded to all 
members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or 
contiguous waters or airspace after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 
73.  Additionally, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or 
Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the 
same time period also were eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal.  
There was no official documentation in the applicant's record, to 
verify he was attached or assigned to a unit for one or more days 
or served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 
nonconsecutive days in the area of eligibility for award of the 
VSM.  With regards to the VCM, the VCM is awarded to members of 
the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 
served for 6 months in South Vietnam, or, served outside the 
geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat 
support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate 
of 6 months.  Only members of the United States Armed Forces who 
meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary 
Medal or the VSM during the period of service required are 
considered to have contributed direct combat support to the 
Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length 
of service required, but who, during wartime, were: wounded by the 
enemy (in a military action), captured by the enemy during action 
or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released, killed in 
action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 28 
Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 Jan 
73 to 28 Mar 73.  There is no official documentation within the 
applicant's official military record verifying he was in the area 
of eligibility for an aggregate of 6 months in support of the 
Vietnam Armed Forces for award of the VCM.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide him a copy of the 
Letter of Commendation he requested because there is no 
documentation of such letter in his official military personnel 
record.

Additionally, based on the documentation contained in the 
applicant’s record, he meets the eligibility criteria for two unit 
awards; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and One 
Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1 BOLC) and the Republic of 
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and the awards were 
not reflected in his records.  Upon final board decision, the 
applicant's official military personnel record will be 
administratively corrected to reflect these awards.

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 27 Oct 14 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 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 the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
(OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  As 
for his request for copies of certain excerpts of his military 
personnel records, inasmuch as this Board is not the custodian for 
military personnel records, the applicant should seek copies of 
his records through the National Personnel Records Center.  We 
note that AFPC/DPSIDR has verified the applicant’s entitlement to 
the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and One Bronze Oak 
Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1 BOLC) and the Republic of Vietnam 
Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) and will correct his records 
administratively.  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-2014-02256 in Executive Session on 25 Feb 15 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-02256 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 May 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 30 Jul 14.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 8 Oct 14.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Oct 14.