RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03890 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following: a. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). b. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). c. Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR). d. Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in Guam with the 3960th Strategic Wing for 176 days beginning 16 Jan 68 supporting B-52 strikes over Vietnam during the TET Offensive; and at U-Tapao, Thailand with the 4252nd Strategic Wing for 186 days beginning 3 Sep 68 as a KC-135 Crew Chief during field combat refueling missions. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________ ______________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Air Force on 29 Jul 66, and served as an aircraft mechanic in the 28th Organizational Maintenance Squadron (OMS), Ellsworth AFB, SD during the period of time in question. The applicant’s name was listed on Special Order T-67, dated 8 Jan 68 deploying him in Temporary Duty (TDY) status with the 3960th Strategic Wing, APO San Francisco 96334 in support of PROJECT ARC-LIGHT. Specifically, he was attached to the 4133rd Provisional Wing for duty. The declassified Directory of the United States Air Force Organizations, dated 31 Jul 66, which lists the APO Codes in use during the period of time in question, identifies APO 96334 as Anderson AFB, Guam. According to the unit history of the 4133rdBombardment Wing (Provisional) provided by the Air Force Historical Agency, “As the 4133rd was operating under a split-force concept, the wing’s aircrews werestationed at both Andersen and the forward operating base at U- Tapao”; “Fifteen B-52s remained at U-Tapao for themonth of Jan 68 to support 450ARC-LIGHT missionsprogrammed each month forthem”;and,“At this time (Mar 68) the total ARC-LIGHTcrew inventory was subject to rotation between three bases: Anderson, U-Tapao, and Kadena.” The applicant’s name was also listed on SpecialOrder T-1441, dated 14 Aug 69, deploying him TDY in support of PROJECT ARC- LIGHTas a member of the4220thAir Refueling Squadron (AREFSq)(Provisional), APO San Francisco96319.Specifically, he was attached to the 4220thAREFSq (Prov) for duty. The declassified Directory of the United States Air ForceOrganizations, dated 31 Jul 66,which lists the APO Codes in useduring the period of time in question,identifies AFO 96319asKung Kuan AB, Taiwan.According to the unit history of 4252ndStrategic Wing provided by the Air Force Historical Agency, the 4220 AREFSq was a subordinate unit of the 4252nd. On 1 Sep 69“the 4252ndbecame the single manager for all ARC-LIGHT tankercrews in Third Air Division and, as such, became responsible for ensuring all operating locations were manned with sufficientcrews,” and “Refueling support for PACAF fighter-bomber activityover Southeast Asia was carried out by the 4242ndtanker squadron at Ching Chuan Kang, the 4220th.” The applicant separated on 28 Jul 70andwas credited with fouryears of total active service, which included 11 months and 27days of foreign service. The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), created on 8 Jul 65, is awardedto all service members of the Armed Forces who, between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereover and in the directsupport of military operations in Vietnam. The specific eligibility criteria requires a member to be attached to or directly serving for one or more days with an organization, or aboard a naval vessel, directly supporting military operations; actually participate as a crew member on one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; or serve ontemporary duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, although these time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. However, nomember may be issued both the AFEM and the VSM for service in Vietnam. The remainingrelevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the lettersprepared by the appropriate officesof the Air Force, which areattached at ExhibitsCand D. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The VSM is awarded to all service members of the Armed Services who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. The RVCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73, served in South Vietnam during this period; served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. The Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate of Assignments, was unable to verify the applicant served in Thailand or Guam; however, they did reference the applicant’s Airman Military Records (AF Form 7) which indicates two separate temporary duty assignments in support of Project ARC-LIGHT for 176 days and 186 days, respectively, without exact locations noted. The applicant was assigned to the 28th OMS beginning 28 Dec 66, the 3960th Strategic Wing from 16 Jan 68 to 2 Sep 68, and the 4252nd Strategic Wing from 15 Sep 69 to 17 Mar 70. As for his request related to the SAEMR, the applicant’s records did not contain an AF Form 522 or a letter from the Small Arms Marksmanship Monitor stating the applicant qualified as expert with either the M-16 rifle of handgun. As for the applicant’s request for the PUC, the applicant’s assigned units were not awarded the PUC. The applicant does qualify for award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/V & 2 BOLC) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). The applicant’s records will be administratively corrected to reflect those two awards. However, recommend disapproval of the VSM, RVCM, SAEMR, and PUC. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to update his records to reflect service in Guam and Thailand. A review of the Master Personnel Records and documentation submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiate foreign service time in Guam or Thailand. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit F. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: His evidence is in the form of two APO addresses where his mail was directed. APO San Francisco 96334 is Anderson AFB, Guam between Dec 67 and Jun 68 during the TET Offensive. APO San Francisco 96326 is U-Tapoa, Thailand between Sep 69 and Mar 70. His records indicate he was a Crew Chief on a KC-135 Refueling Tanker and flew combat missions from 1969 to 1970 out of U-Tapao, Thailand and received both combat pay and tax free pay. He also received the SAEMR, and the PUC and Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation were awarded to his unit during the TET offensive (Exhibit E). ________________________________________________________________ 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 for the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) or the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case, to include his rebuttal response; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPRs) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice concerning the SAEMR or the PUC. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with regard to the applicant’s request to be credited with the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). While we note the comments of the Air Force OPRs indicating they were unable to verify the applicant’s service in Thailand or Guam, we believe a preponderance of the evidence indicates that corrective action is warranted. In this respect, we note the applicant has provided copies of TDY orders directing his participation in Operation ARC-LIGHT (the aerial bombing of Vietnam) in 1968 and 1969 for 176 days and 186 days, respectively. While the orders in question do not list the specific location of the applicant’s deployment, historical documents made available to us substantiate that these units were deployed to Guam and Thailand in support of said mission. Therefore, in view of the fact the applicant served as a crew chief during these deployments, we find it very likely that in performing these duties as an aircrew member he fulfilled the requisite service requirements in support of the conflict in the Republic of Vietnam to qualify for the VSM and the RVCM. In addition, subsequent to the matter under review, we note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant is entitled to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) with Valor and Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/V & 2 BLOC) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P), and they have taken action to correct his records administratively. Therefore, we recommend that his records be corrected to the extent indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03890 in Executive Session on 2 May 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03890 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Jul 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Jan 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Jan 13. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 17 Feb 13, w/atchs Exhibit F. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 3 Apr 13. Panel Chair