RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-02751
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His military personnel records reflect Air Evacuation Missions in Southeast Asia (SEA) and any medals he’s entitled to for missions in SEA.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

In 1969, he flew Air Evacuation Missions in SEA.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 28 June 1968, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force in the grade of airman basic for a period of four years.

On 15 June 1972, the applicant was released from active duty with service characterized as honorable in the grade of staff sergeant, under the provisions of AFM 39-10.  He served 3 years, 11 months and 18 days of total active duty service.

The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects he received the following decorations and medals:  National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial indicating they thoroughly researched the applicant’s records and provided documentation, and were unable to find the required documentation to verify his entitlement to awards and decorations for his missions in SEA.  Although he did provide copies of TDY orders, orders in and of themselves cannot be used as true source documents due to the vulnerability of mission cancellation.  True source documents which can be used for verification purpose for travel to SEA include a paid travel voucher processed by Accounting and Finance, performance report, approved decoration, etc., to validate his service in SEA.

The evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the evaluation and provided a Performance Report as a true source document to prove he flew missions in SEA.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, 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 an error or injustice.  The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, the Board is of the opinion that no relief is warranted.  With respect to the applicant’s request to have his records reflect Air Evacuation Missions in SEA, it is unclear what records he is requesting to be corrected.  In this respect, we note the section on his DD Form 214 reflecting Foreign Service does show some Foreign Service.  Also, his performance report reflects a mission to SEA; therefore, his contribution to the Air Evacuation Mission is documented in his records.  However, we have no official documentation substantiating how long the applicant was in SEA.  It’s noted the applicant provided aeronautical orders with the dates of 16 September through 16 October 1969 and 18 December 1969 through 17 January 1970.  However, the Board notes without a paid travel voucher, the dates of the mission in SEA cannot be verified.  Therefore, we cannot determine with any certainty how long he served in SEA.  Likewise, with regard to awarding him any medals, without travel vouchers, it cannot be verified how long he was in SEA.  As a result his eligibility for any awards cannot be verified.  Should he provide documentation, such as the paid travel voucher or letters from crewmembers indicating his TDY in SEA was 30 days or longer, the Board would be willing to reconsider his appeal.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-02751 in Executive Session on 12 January 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 8 September 2004, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 4 October 2004.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 October 2004.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 19 October 2004, w/atch.