RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 
 
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02598 
  COUNSEL:  NONE 
   HEARING DESIRED:  NO 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 
 
His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected 
to reflect his service in Vietnam. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) denied his claim for Agent 
Orange because his records did not reflect service in Vietnam.  It 
should be clear on his records that he served in Vietnam from the 
start to the ending of the war. It is hard to prove he was on the 
ground in Vietnam because aircrew members did not receive temporary d
uty orders (TDY) to Vietnam.  
 
In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, 
copies of correspondence from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and
 his travel trip book. 
 
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit
 A. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
STATEMENT OF FACTS: 
 
On 1 October 1953, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. He 
was progressively promoted to the grade of master sergeant, having
 assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of  1 February
 1975.  He retired after serving 23 years and 4 days of total active
 service.   
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
HQ AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP states they were unable to
 locate documentation in the applicant’s master personnel records 
reflecting service in Vietnam.   
 
Additionally, DPAPP requested the applicant provide additional 
documentation such as travel vouchers, evaluation reports, letters of
 evaluation, decorations or some other official military document that
 reflects Vietnam service. 
 
The complete HQ AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
The applicant states he does not have any records that reflect he was
 in Vietnam.  He was a combat crewmember on the C-141 Starlifter.  He
 was assigned to the 58th Military Airlift Command Squadron, Robins
 AFB, GA from October 1969 to July 1971, in which he flew several 
missions to Vietnam.  Aircrew members did not receive TDY orders to 
Vietnam. The aircraft command post decided where the aircraft went as 
they were flying through the system. The applicant has also provided 
additional information to support his application.  
 
The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
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 error or injustice to warrant relief.  After careful
 review of the available records and the applicant’s complete submission,
 we  note the applicant’s airman performance report ending 15 June 1971 
reflects that he was loading HU-1B helicopters at Pleiku Vietnam.  In view
 of this and the applicant’s military pay order stating that he earned
 special duty pay subject to hostile fire pay while participating in 
strategic operations in a combat zone, we believe a reasonable basis 
exists to conclude the applicant served in Vietnam.  With no basis to
 question the applicant’s integrity, and in recognition of his service 
to the Nation, his records should 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 at Pleiku Air Base Vietnam from 1-15 June 1971. 
 
________________________________________________________________ 
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2010-02598 in Executive Session on 21 July 2011, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 
 
All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 
 
  Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 8 Oct 10, w/atchs. 
  Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 
  Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 24 Nov 10. 
  Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Dec 10. 
  Exhibit E.  Applicant’s DVA Ratings, 24 Jul 10, w/atchs.