RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01861
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, reflect
award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He served from January 1970 to February 1976 in the Vietnam Era.
In support of his request, the applicant submits copies of flight
records, personal flight log records and documents extracted from
his military personnel records.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant honorably served on active duty for 6 years
3 months and 13 days and was credited with 5 months and 20 days
of foreign and/or sea service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states after a review of the
applicants military records, they could find no mention that the
applicant was TDY to Vietnam. However, an evaluation report from
20 October 1971 to 19 April 1972 states that, Lt M--- has also
been awarded the Vietnam Service Ribbon. Also, in an evaluation
report from 20 April to 19 October 1972 states, He flew
150 hours, including one combat sortie during this period.
Lastly, in an evaluation report from 20 April to 19 October 1973,
it states, Capt M--- flew two sorties in support of the Air
Force airlift requirements in Southeast Asia. There is no
concrete evidence that he served in Vietnam, therefore, they
cannot confirm boots on the ground for Vietnam.
The DPAPP complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states after a thorough
review of the applicants records and documents provided, DPSIDR
is unable to locate official documentation verifying his presence
in Vietnam under any of the criteria for the VSM. Therefore he
is ineligible for award of the VSM. There are four Flight
Authorization forms (MAC Form 41), but there is no supporting
official documentation indicating that he actually entered
Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia and was in direct support to
operations there. On his evaluation report from 20 April 1972 to
19 October 1972 there is mention of a combat sortie; however,
there is no indication of country or circumstances of the sortie.
The applicant was a pilot for a C-141 cargo aircraft.
The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states from early 1971 to early 1976 he was a USAF
pilot for the C-141 aircraft. He was assigned to the 18th
Military Airlift Squadron at McGuire AFB, NJ. Their mission was
to provide TDY airlift support to other U.S. missions worldwide
including occasional TDY in Southwest Asia, to include flights in
South Vietnam airspace and to and from U.S. airbases in South
Vietnam. Hostile fire/combat pay was received for the months
that included a TDY (airlift mission) in Vietnam.
The applicants complete response, with attachments is at Exhibit
F.
_________________________________________________________________
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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After
reviewing the evidence of record and the applicants submission
we believe that relief is warranted. We note that the
applicants evaluation reports from October 1971 to October 1973
reflect he had been awarded the Vietnam Service Ribbon, he flew
150 hours, including one combat sortie, and he flew two sorties
in support of the Air Force airlift requirements in Southeast
Asia. We also note the applicant provided personal flight
records and Flight Authorization forms. In view of the above, we
believe the evidence provided is sufficient to support our
action. Therefore, we recommend that his records be corrected as
indicated below.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded
the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2011-01861 in Executive Session on 4 January 2012,
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number
BC-2011-01861 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 May 2011, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 31 October 2011.
Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 14 November 2011.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 December 2011.
Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 8 December 2011, w/atchs.
Panel Chair
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