RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04125 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to reflect his entitlement to the following: 1) The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 2) The Air Medal (AM) (Administratively resolved). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: From 1966 to 1969, he served as a C-141 Loadmaster, Travis AFB, CA. His aircrew duties took him into Vietnam on multiple occasions. He was separated before his records were properly updated. He was awarded the Air Medal on 29 Jan 68, but it is not reflected on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, reserve retirement orders, Citation for The Air Medal, two witness statements, and an unofficial award for his duties on one extended C-141A mission. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________ ______________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s military personnel records, he enlisted in the Air Force on 12 Sep 65, served on active duty until his honorable discharge on 22 Jan 69, and was credited with 3 years, 4 months, and 11 days of active duty, which included three months and six days of foreign service. The VSM is awarded to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving at any time between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, in Vietnam, its contiguous waters, or the airspace there-over, and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. To be eligible, a Service member must: 1) be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations; 2) have actually participated as a crew member in one of more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; 3) have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibit C and D. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP concluded that his Master Personnel Records and the documentation he submitted failed to identify any documents that substantiate foreign service in Vietnam. His records do indicate that he was deployed to Southeast Asia, and was sent on temporary duty (TDY) from 17 Mar 66 to 21 Oct 66, but does not specifically indicate Vietnam. It is highly likely with the applicant being a C-141 Loadmaster that his duties required him to make frequent trips to Vietnam. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of award of the VSM. While the applicant’s record indicates that he provided in-flight services to passengers/troops and he was credited foreign service for at least two extensive TDYs, and noting that he has provided two witnesses statements attesting to his service, after considering the recommendation from DPAPP and the preponderance of the evidence indicating the applicant was present in Vietnam on more than one occasion, they must recommend denial given that they are unable to prove he participated in one of more aerial flights directly supporting military operations or that he satisfied the 30/60 day requirement. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 13 Jan 12 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (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. We note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicating their review of the applicant’s Master Personnel Records did not positively verify the applicant’s presence in Vietnam; however, we believe the supporting witness statements and documentation provided establishes a reasonable basis to conclude the applicant served in Vietnam. Therefore, we find the evidence provided is sufficient to resolve any doubt in favor of the applicant. 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded The Vietnam Service Medal. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04125 in Executive Session on 24 Apr 2012, 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 16 Dec 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPAPP, dated 15 Nov 11. Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 3 Jan 12. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Jan 12.