RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2011-01486

								COUNSEL:  NONE

								HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

1.	His records be corrected to reflect he had “Boots on the 
Ground” in Vietnam on 18 January 1973.

2.	His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect:

	a. He was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 
with Palm (RVNGC w/P). (ADMINISTRATIVELY CORRECTED)

	b.	He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citations (PUC). 
(ADMINISTRATIVELY CORRECTED)

3.	The RVNGC w/P and the PUC be awarded and presented to all  
Airmen listed on the 456th Munitions Maintenance Squadron (MMS) 
roster.

4.	He be presented the above listed awards.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is looking to prove he had boots on the ground in Vietnam.  
In late 1972 or early 1973 he traveled to Da Nang, Vietnam from 
Thailand.  Upon arrival, he was ordered to download hung 
ordinance.  He broke his little finger on his right hand when he 
released the pod from the pylon and fell with the pod to the 
ground.  He also went on various missions to Vietnam, Northern 
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

He requested an official unit history for the 456th MMS which 
indicated he was awarded the PUC, however, no unit roster was 
listed.  The men and women of this unit deserve to be honored 
for their service to the United States of America and he 
requests they all be presented these awards. 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides personal 
statements, copies of his AF Form 626, Request and Authorization 
for Temporary Duty – Military, a copy of his pay records and 
other supporting documentation.

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

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Air Force from 2 December 1970 to 
9 February 1974.  He was honorably discharged and credited with 
1 year and 2 days of Foreign Service. 

_______________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  A review of the applicant’s 
Master Personnel Record failed to substantiate he served time in 
Vietnam.

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant responded to AFPC/DPAPP’s request for additional 
information and provided a statement from a former member 
stating he performed duties in Vietnam with the applicant.  
Additionally, he provided a statement from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs verifying his service in Vietnam.

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.  Based on a statement from 
a former service member and Temporary Duty Orders produced by the 
applicant, we believe a reasonable basis exists to conclude the 
applicant had boots on the ground in Vietnam.  Additionally, the 
applicant’s records have been administratively corrected to show 
he was awarded the RVNGC w/P and the PUC.  We note the applicant’s 
request that the unit roster for the 456th MMS be corrected to 
recognize all airmen entitled to the PUC.  Unfortunately, this 
request falls outside the purview of this board.  The Board is 
only authorized to correct the record of a proper applicant based 
on the submission of a signed DD Form 149 by an applicant or their 
authorized representative. Therefore, 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 Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, on 18 January 1973.

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered BCMR Docket Number 
BC-2011-01486 in Executive Session on 6 March 2012, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the record, as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 12 Apr Jul 11 w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 30 Aug 11.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Oct 11.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant’s Response, dated 11 Nov 11.