RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004- 02673 INDEX CODE: 100.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _____________________________________________________________ ____ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect he served in Vietnam. _____________________________________________________________ ____ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214 does not reflect the time he served in Vietnam. He requests this correction for veterans’ benefits. In support of his request, applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge. Applicant's complete submission, with an attachment, is at Exhibit A. _____________________________________________________________ ____ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 5 May 66, the applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force. He was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant, having assumed the grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Jun 68. The applicant served in Philippines from 3 Jul 68 through 4 Oct 70. He was released from active duty on 13 Dec 69 with an honorable discharge. He served three years, seven months and nine days of active duty. The applicant’s performance reports for the periods ending 19 Nov 68 and 19 May 69 reflect the applicant served in Southeast Asia (SEA), but does not indicate where in SEA the applicant served. On 17 Sep 04, HQ AFPC/DPAPP requested the applicant provide documentation to verify the location of his temporary duty in SEA. He did not respond. _____________________________________________________________ ____ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPAPP2 recommends denial. DPAPP2 states there is no documentation in the applicant’s personnel records to reflect his service in Vietnam. Two of his performance reports indicate he served in SEA; however, neither report indicates where in SEA. DPAPP2 further states the applicant did not respond to their request to provide documentation to support his request. The complete AFPC/DPAPP2 evaluation is attached at Exhibit C. _____________________________________________________________ ____ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant states he researched all his records and cannot find any documents pertaining to his TDY in SEA. He submitted a request to the National Personnel Records Center (NRPC) for copies of his personnel and pay records. He further stated he would forward the documentation once he received it (Exhibit E). On 18 Nov 04, the applicant requested that his case be administratively closed. On 23 Nov 04, his case was administratively closed per his request (Exhibit F). On 26 Jan 10, the applicant submitted a DD Fm 149, with attachments, requesting his DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect his service in Vietnam (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. After a thorough review of the evidence presented, we believe a reasonable basis exists to conclude the applicant served in Vietnam. In this respect, we note that his performance report closing 19 May 69 reflects he “spent 26 days in Southeast Asia.” Further, he has provided an amended order, dated 14 Oct 69, indicating he was TDY to Dong Ha, Republic of Vietnam, with no specified time period. In view of the above, and in recognition of his service to the Nation, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. _____________________________________________________________ ____ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he had boots on the ground in Dong Ha, Republic of Vietnam, in 1969 for 26 days. _____________________________________________________________ _____ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-02673 in Executive Session on 25 Mar 10, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 22 Aug 04, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 22 Oct 04, w/atchs. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Oct 04. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated. Exhibit F. Facsimile, Applicant, dated 18 Nov 04. Exhibit G. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 23 Nov 04. Exhibit H. DD Form 149, dated 26 Jan 10, w/atchs.