RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03385 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, Block 30, be corrected to reflect “yes” after Vietnam. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: In 1971, he went on a temporary duty (TDY) assignment to Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Vietnam (RVN) for 30-45 days and flew secret intelligence missions as an Air Force North Vietnamese linguist. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 31 Jan 69, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. He is credited with 3 years 11 months and 17 days of total active service; with 2 years, 1 month and 9 days of Foreign Service. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states that the DD Form 214 was only annotated “yes” if the service member was actually assigned in either, Indochina, Vietnam or Korea. The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects “yes” after Indochina because he was assigned in Thailand from 12 Jan 72 until his date of separation of 17 Jan 73. After a thorough review of the applicant’s military records, they could find no mention of any time served in Vietnam. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In 1971, he received orders to Cam Ranh Bay, RVN and was assigned to the Air Force Security Service Detachment for 30- 45 days. The advisory opinion states that “after a thorough review of his records, DPAPP could not find any mention of time served in Vietnam.” He wonders if someone has erased or misplaced his service records. Blocks 23-25 of his DD Form 214 reflects that he was a North Vietnamese Voice Processing Specialist/Interpreter, completed a South East Asia Survival course, awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal {sic}, and others, although it appears his Air Medal second oak leaf cluster (AM w/2OLC) was omitted. The applicant’s complete response is at 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 error or injustice to warrant changing his DD Form 214 to reflect “yes” after Vietnam. After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant’s contentions, we find no evidence which would persuade us that his records should be corrected to show service in Vietnam. In this respect, we note that DPAPP advised the applicant by letter that when his DD Form 214 was accomplished, it was a requirement to annotate “yes” if a member was actually assigned in Indochina, Vietnam or Korea. DPAPP has confirmed that the applicant was assigned to Thailand. However, DPAPP states there is no documentation to reflect the applicant was assigned or TDY to Vietnam. Without documentary evidence, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has failed to sustain his burden that he has been the victim of an error or injustice. We note in the applicant’s rebuttal he states that the Air Medal w/1OLC appears to be missing from his records; however, since this was not included as part of his original application, to insure proper staffing of the applicant’s request, a new DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Records is required. In view of the above and 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 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. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2012-03385 in Executive Session on 9 Apr 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Jul 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 20 Sep 12. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Oct 12. Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 9 Oct 12. Panel Chair 2 3