RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-05744

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect “boots-on-ground” in the Republic of Vietnam. 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, does not reflect or credit him with time served in Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Vietnam from 14 May 1969 until 5 August 1969.  He suffers from several ailments caused by his service in Vietnam and the omission of his Vietnam service on his DD Form 214 has caused a delay in his disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s military personnel records indicate he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 2 May 1967.

On 13 January 1971, the applicant was honorably discharged from the Air Force and was credited with 3 years, 8 months, and 12 days of total active service.  

On 4 March 2013, AFPC/DPSOR notified the applicant that after a complete review of his official military records, they were able to verify and confirm his foreign service and “boots on ground” at Mildenhall Air Base, England from 14 May 1969 to 5 August 1969, for a period of 2 months and 22 days, as well as, Keflavik Air Force Base, Iceland from approximately 12 January 1970 to 13 January 1971, for a period of 1 year and 1 day.  Therefore, a 


DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certification of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, was issued to reflect a combined total foreign service of 1 year, 2 months, and 23 days.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to be credited with service in the Republic of Vietnam, indicating that based on the evidence provided by the applicant and his military personnel records, there is nothing to reflect he served in Vietnam.  

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

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 8 March 2013 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 

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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 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 with respect to the applicant’s request to be credited with service in Vietnam.  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 the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  While we are not unmindful of the applicant’s service to the Nation, there is no documentary evidence contained in his submission or military personnel records indicating that he served in Vietnam.  We note that AFPC/DPSOR has verified the applicant’s foreign service in England and Iceland and has corrected 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.

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-05744 in Executive Session on 7 October 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 December 2012, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 16 January 2013.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 March 2013.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair