RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:  				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03334
								INDEX CODE:  113.00
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX			COUNSEL: NO 

	XXXXXXXXXXXX					HEARING DESIRED: YES 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect his service in Vietnam and he receive any compensation due him. 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He performed temporary duty (TDY) in XXXXXX, Vietnam, in October and November 1968.  He received two months of combat pay for the time he spent there.  He has contacted every office he knows of, including the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, in an attempt to get copies of his pay record for the time period he asserts he was TDY to Vietnam. 

In support of his application, the applicant provides a personal statement.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 13 July 1966, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force at the age of 17 in the grade of airman basic (E-1). He was progressively promoted to the rank of technical sergeant (E-6) effective 1 October 1981.  On 31 May 1987, the applicant was honorably discharged effective 1 June 1987 with a separation code RBD (sufficient service for retirement) and a reenlistment code 2V (applied for retirement, or retirement approved).  He had served 20 years, 4 months and 16 days of active duty service, of which 8 years, 1 month, and 19 days was foreign service.

According to the applicant’s military personnel records, he served 32 days of foreign service in Southeast Asia (SEA) from 15 October 1968 through 15 November 1968; however, the records do not reflect in which SEA country(ies) he served. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP2 recommends the application be denied.  DPAPP2 states the applicant did not provide any evidence to support his claim of service in Vietnam.  Additionally, there are no documents in the applicant’s Master Personnel Records that shows service in Vietnam.  The DPAPP2 evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant states the Air Force sent him TDY to the country of Vietnam during October - November 1968 and he collected two months combat pay for the time spent there.  The Air Force should have records of his TDY somewhere.  The applicant’s rebuttal is at Exhibit E.

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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.  After a thorough review of the available records, we found no evidence that the individual was deployed or TDY to Vietnam.  According to the applicant’s military personnel records, he served 32 days of foreign service in Southeast Asia; however, the records do not reflect in which SEA country(ies) he served.  In cases of this nature, the burden rests with the applicant to provide a showing of error or injustice.  The applicant did not provide any documentary evidence to substantiate his claim.  In the absence of such evidence we find no compelling 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 this application in Executive Session on 12 February 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-03334 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 Oct 03.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 31 Oct 03.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Nov 03.
	Exhibit E.  Applicant’s Rebuttal, undated.