RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-00408
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO


APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded service credit and decorations associated with his 
service in the Republic of Vietnam.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in Vietnam; however, his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of 
the United States – Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in 
conjunction with his 22 Jun 69 discharge, does not reflect his 
decorations and service in Vietnam.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 27 Sep 65, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force for 
a period of four years.

On 22 Jun 69, the applicant was released from active duty and was 
credited with 3 years, 8 months, and 26 days of active duty 
service, including 1 year, 5 months, and 1 day of foreign service.  

According to his Airman Performance Report (APR) for the period 
28 Sep 67 - 27 Sep 68, he was assigned to the 21 Tactical Airlift 
Squadron.  The report also notes in Section VII, 
Comments/Indorsements, that the applicant completed an extended 
Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment in SEA.  

The Air Force Personnel Services (AFPS) website reflects that the 
21 Tactical Airlift Squadron was awarded the Republic of Vietnam 
Gallantry Cross, with Palm (RVNGC, w/P) from 1 Apr 66 – 28 Jan 73.  


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends the Board review the records to determine 
whether they support the applicant was TDY to Vietnam.  DPAPP 
indicates that they were able to verify and confirm foreign 
service at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, from 22 Jan 68 to 22 Jun 69, 
for 1 year, 5 months, and 1 day, which is correctly, reflected on 
the applicant’s DD Form 214, with a 22 Jun 69 separation date.  
Although, the applicant has several APRs that indicate he was 
assigned on TDY to SEA, DPAPP was unable to determine the exact 
location of the TDY assignments.  

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial.  DPSID states they were unable to 
verify the applicant served in Vietnam and recommends the Board 
render a decision.  DPSID was unable to locate documentation 
verifying the applicant served in the area of eligibility and met 
the criteria for either the Vietnam service Medal (VSM) or the 
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM).  Should the Board grant 
the applicant relief for boots on ground in Vietnam recommend the 
Board also determine if he should receive award of the VSM and the 
RVCM.  However, to grant relief would be contrary to the criteria 
established by DoDM 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief 
of Staff, and/or the War Department.  

The VSM is awarded to all members of the United States Armed 
Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace 
after 3 July 65, and before 28 Mar 73.  In addition, personnel 
serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of 
operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were 
eligible for the VSM.  To be eligible, a service member must be: 
permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, 
days with an organization participating in or directly 
supporting ground (military) operations; permanently assigned, 
attached, or detailed for one, or more days aboard a naval 
vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually 
participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights 
directly supporting military operations; have served on 
temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days.  
Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating 
in actual combat operations.

The RVCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed 
Forces who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 served for six months 
in South Vietnam, or, served outside the geographical limits of 
South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the 
Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months.  
Only members of the United States Armed Forces who meet the 
criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or 
the VSM during the period of service required are considered to 
have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of 
Vietnam Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length of service 
required, but who, during wartime, were:  wounded by the enemy 
(in a military action), captured by the enemy during action or 
in the line of duty, but later rescued or released, killed in 
action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 
28 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 
29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73.

After a thorough review of the applicant's military personnel 
record DPSID were unable to verify any awards for service in Vietnam 
to include the VSM and the RVCM.

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPAPP revised their initial evaluation and indicates that 
they do not support awarding service credit for Vietnam and defer 
to the Board for final approval or disapproval.

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit E.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He served for a little less than four years because of hazardous 
missions flown in SEA.  Recently, he was looking for assistance 
from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for hearing aids and 
while going through the process he noticed that his DD Form 
214 did not reflect he served in Vietnam.  He provided a supply 
progress report from his crew chief, flight chief, and maintenance 
officer, to DPAPP, which clearly demonstrates that he was on an 
extended period of duty in SEA on the wing’s sensitive 
Flare/Forward Air Controller Mission (Blind Bat).

In Mar 68, while TDY to Cam Rahn Bay, his aircraft (tail Number 
57-473) was hit with a mortar attack and hit a fuel dump a few 
planes down from his plane.  In addition, it has already been 
confirmed that in Sept 68, he was TDY to Thailand flying flare 
missions (Blind Bat).  It is very difficult to comprehend with the 
flight records, TDY pay and hazardous duty pay, that these records 
cannot be located.

He finds the recommendation short sighted.  He is sure that with 
the proper research, his aircraft 57-473 would have logged several 
of his SEA combat missions and with that research a more positive 
recommendation for service to his country could be reached.

The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit 
G.


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 injustice.  We note DPSID recommends denial 
stating that with the exception of the APR, closing 27 Sep 68, 
there is no official documentation referencing a TDY to Vietnam.  
While the applicant has not provided conclusive evidence that he 
completed a TDY to Vietnam, it is our opinion the APR for the 
period ending 27 Sep 68 coupled with AFPS’s database appear to 
weigh more in favor of amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 to 
reflect award of the VSM with one Bronze Service Star (VSM, 
w/1BSS) and his service in Vietnam.  Accordingly, we recommend the 
applicant’s 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:

	a.  He had boots on the ground in Vietnam in Sep 68.

	b.  His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report 
of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 22 Jun 
69 discharge, be amended in Block 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, 
Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons, Awarded or 
Authorized, to include the Vietnam Service Medal, with one Bronze 
Service Star.


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2014-00408 in Executive Session on 20 Nov 14 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Jan 14, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Available Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 11 Mar 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 2 Jun 14.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 21 Jul 14.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Aug 14.
	Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Aug 14, w/atch.