RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:

COUNSEL: NONE

HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Item 30 (Remarks) of his DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to show “Vietnam Yes”, rather than “Vietnam No”.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was a flight surgeon deployed to Southeast Asia (SEA) just after the second Tet offensive in 1972. Seventeen of the 67 combat missions he flew were over Vietnam. He spent 7 months and 21 days of service in SEA. He became aware of this shortcoming in his records when he applied for Veteran’s Administration (VA) benefits and was told he was not eligible.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant, a captain in the Air Force Reserve, was called to active duty on 30 Jun 71. He served for two years before being released from active duty on 29 Jun 73. He had served 7 months and 27 days of Foreign Service. The evidence of record indicates he was TDY to Thailand from 10 Apr to 30 Sep 72 for which he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM); however, there is no record of any service in Vietnam for the required 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days of “boots-on-the-ground” service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states they sent a letter to the applicant requesting additional documentation that would verify he served in Vietnam. The letter also informed him that specific duty locations are not annotated on the DD 214. As of the date of their letter, DPAPP had not heard from the applicant.

DPAPP’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant notes it would be extremely difficult for a flyer to meet the “boots on the ground” requirement to prove time spent in Vietnam. He contends his service flying over the country performed as valuable a service as did the troops on the ground. He notes the purpose of requesting this change to his record is that he is proud of his Vietnam service and not an attempt to obtain benefits.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit C.

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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 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. The applicant’s Vietnam service is properly documented on his DD Form 214 by award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for his participation in aerial flight during the several months he was TDY to Southeast Asia. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2009-04723 in Executive Session on 8 December 2010, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair

, Member

, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Dec 09, w/atch.

Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.

Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 19 Apr 10.

Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Jun 10.

Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 5 Jul 10.

Panel Chair