RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02636 

 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: YES 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty be 
corrected to reflect his Vietnam Service between 1973 and 1975. 

 

2. He be awarded 2 Vietnam Service Medals (VSM). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He served overseas from March 1973 to March 1976. He flew to 
Vietnam on several missions including the “Baby Lift” mission in 
1975. He needs to verify Vietnam service to apply for 
disability due to prostate cancer. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of 
Temporary Duty (TDY) Special Order TA-3685 dated 21 June 1974. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant entered on extended active duty with the AF 
Reserves on 22 February 1971. His primary Air Force Specialty 
Code (AFSC) was 1055B-Pilot, Tactical Aircraft. His secondary 
AFSC was 1351-Flight Training Instructor, T-37. 

 

The applicant was released from extended active duty on 
31 July 1979 with an honorable characterization of service and 
was credited with serving 8 years, 8 months and 13 days which 
included 2 years, 10 months and 28 days of Foreign and/or Sea 
Service. 

 

The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not reflect service in Vietnam 
nor award of the VSM however, item 6 of the applicant’s AF Form 
707 Officer Effectiveness Report dated 16 May 1975 thru 
31 October 1975 states, as a specific example of Adaptability to 
Stress, “He displayed outstanding adaptability to stress during 


the hazardous evacuation flights from Saigon and the refugee 
flights to Guam.” 

 

The VSM criterion: The VSM was created by Executive Order 
11213, 8 Jul 65. It is awarded to all service members of the 
Armed Forces who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, served on 
temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days 
in the following areas of Southeast Asia: In Vietnam and 
contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or 
the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military 
operations in Vietnam. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states a review of his 
Master Personnel Records and documentation submitted failed to 
provide any information that substantiated foreign service time 
in Vietnam. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

In a letter dated 1 December 2011 the applicant reiterates his 
previous contentions and adds more details of the Far East 
missions he flew. He states that in 1974 he was recruited into 
the E-Flight of the “Special Projects Office.” They flew 
missions to all points of the Far East and to Vietnam on many 
occasions. He includes copies of blanket mission orders issued 
monthly, a picture of an egg shell painting purchased in Saigon, 
pictures of the 21st TAS service awards, a picture of an E-Flight 
service award, and a picture he took of the people in the back 
of the plane during OPERATION BABY LIFT. The applicant also 
gives an update of his post service career, community 
involvement and civilian achievements. 

 

The applicant’s complete response with attachments is at 
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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice with regard to 
the applicant’s request for Vietnam service credit. Based on 
the applicant’s blanket mission orders to airlift cargo or 
personnel in and out of Vietnam and throughout various Southeast 
area regions and his officer performance report confirming his 
evacuation flights from Saigon to Guam, we find the evidence 
sufficient to resolve any doubt we might have in this matter in 
favor of the applicant. Therefore, to avoid a remedy a possible 
injustice and in recognition of his service to the Nation, we 
recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. 
Additionally, in view of his Vietnam service being granted, we 
have been advised by the appropriate OPR that he may be entitled 
to the award of the VSM; however, they will review his record 
for his eligibility and any other awards he may be entitled to. 

 

5. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 
will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) 
involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he served 
on TDY missions to the Republic of Vietnam from 16 May 1975 
through 31 October 1975 in support of OPERATION BABY LIFT. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered this application 
BC-2011-02636 in Executive Session on 06 March 2012, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

, Member 

 , Member 

 

 

 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149 dated 11 July 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 


 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 7 November 2011. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 November 2011. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 1 December 2011, 

 w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 

 


AFBCMR BC-2011-02636 

 

 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF 

 

 Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for 
Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States 
Code it is directed that: 

 

 The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the 
APPLICANT be corrected to show that he served on TDY missions to the Republic of Vietnam 
from 16 May 1975 through 31 October 1975 in support of OPERATION BABY LIFT. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Director 

 Air Force Review Boards Agency