RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02636 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty be corrected to reflect his Vietnam Service between 1973 and 1975. 2. He be awarded 2 Vietnam Service Medals (VSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served overseas from March 1973 to March 1976. He flew to Vietnam on several missions including the “Baby Lift” mission in 1975. He needs to verify Vietnam service to apply for disability due to prostate cancer. In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of Temporary Duty (TDY) Special Order TA-3685 dated 21 June 1974. The applicant’s complete submission with attachments is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered on extended active duty with the AF Reserves on 22 February 1971. His primary Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 1055B-Pilot, Tactical Aircraft. His secondary AFSC was 1351-Flight Training Instructor, T-37. The applicant was released from extended active duty on 31 July 1979 with an honorable characterization of service and was credited with serving 8 years, 8 months and 13 days which included 2 years, 10 months and 28 days of Foreign and/or Sea Service. The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not reflect service in Vietnam nor award of the VSM however, item 6 of the applicant’s AF Form 707 Officer Effectiveness Report dated 16 May 1975 thru 31 October 1975 states, as a specific example of Adaptability to Stress, “He displayed outstanding adaptability to stress during the hazardous evacuation flights from Saigon and the refugee flights to Guam.” The VSM criterion: The VSM was created by Executive Order 11213, 8 Jul 65. It is awarded to all service members of the Armed Forces who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in the following areas of Southeast Asia: In Vietnam and contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states a review of his Master Personnel Records and documentation submitted failed to provide any information that substantiated foreign service time in Vietnam. The complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In a letter dated 1 December 2011 the applicant reiterates his previous contentions and adds more details of the Far East missions he flew. He states that in 1974 he was recruited into the E-Flight of the “Special Projects Office.” They flew missions to all points of the Far East and to Vietnam on many occasions. He includes copies of blanket mission orders issued monthly, a picture of an egg shell painting purchased in Saigon, pictures of the 21st TAS service awards, a picture of an E-Flight service award, and a picture he took of the people in the back of the plane during OPERATION BABY LIFT. The applicant also gives an update of his post service career, community involvement and civilian achievements. 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 error or injustice with regard to the applicant’s request for Vietnam service credit. Based on the applicant’s blanket mission orders to airlift cargo or personnel in and out of Vietnam and throughout various Southeast area regions and his officer performance report confirming his evacuation flights from Saigon to Guam, we find the evidence sufficient to resolve any doubt we might have in this matter in favor of the applicant. Therefore, to avoid a remedy a possible injustice and in recognition of his service to the Nation, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. Additionally, in view of his Vietnam service being granted, we have been advised by the appropriate OPR that he may be entitled to the award of the VSM; however, they will review his record for his eligibility and any other awards he may be entitled to. 5. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he served on TDY missions to the Republic of Vietnam from 16 May 1975 through 31 October 1975 in support of OPERATION BABY LIFT. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered this application BC-2011-02636 in Executive Session on 06 March 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149 dated 11 July 2011, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 7 November 2011. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 November 2011. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 1 December 2011, w/atchs. Panel Chair AFBCMR BC-2011-02636 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code it is directed that: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he served on TDY missions to the Republic of Vietnam from 16 May 1975 through 31 October 1975 in support of OPERATION BABY LIFT. Director Air Force Review Boards Agency