RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 02-03969
		INDEX CODE:  110.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her late husband’s record be reviewed for Vietnam service.  

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her husband was in Thailand in 1973 through 1974.  He had a top secret clearance and could not divulge his whereabouts.   

Applicant provides no supporting documents.  Applicant’s submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 23 December 1954, the former member contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of technical sergeant (E-6) with an effective date and date of rank of 1 March 1975.  The former member continued to reenlist with his last reenlistment occurring on 15 July 1969.  On 30 June 1975, the former member was released from active duty and retired effective 1 July 1975 in the grade of technical sergeant, after serving 20 years, 6 months, and 8 days on active duty.  His retirement DD Form 214, reflects 334 days in Thailand.

Records reflect overseas tours in Tripoli, Libya, for the period 18 July 1959 - 6 July 1961; Greenland for the period 14 October 1963 - 8 October 1964; and Japan for the period 23 May 1968 - 21 May 1971.  An AF Form 910, TSgt, SSgt and Sgt Performance Report, rendered for the period 21 November 1972 through 20 November 1973, document his duties while assigned to Thailand.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied. DPPPR states that the former member had a Southeast Asia tour of duty in Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand from 21 November 1972 to 20 November 1973.  There are no documents in his military records that verify any TDY to Vietnam.  The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 13 March 2003, applicant responded to a Board’s request for legal proof of death by providing a copy of her husband’s death certificate (See Exhibit D).

On 28 March 2003, a copy of the evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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.  Applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, we do not find these uncorroborated assertions, in and by themselves, sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force.  While the possibility exists that the applicant’s spouse may have been in Vietnam at some time, she has provided no evidence substantiating he was deployed to Vietnam for any specific dates or length of time.  Absent such evidence, we must agree with the recommendation of the Air Force and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain her burden that either an error or an injustice has occurred.  Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-03969 in Executive Session on 11 June 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Nov 02.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 21 Mar 03.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, dated 13 Mar 03 w/atchs.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Mar 03.