RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01561 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he served in the Republic of Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: While assigned to the 834th Air Division, Detachment 2, he went on a Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam and Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam for 60 days respectively. In support of his request, the applicant provides an envelope with a return address of 834th Air Division, Detachment 2, and various other documents associated with his request. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, on 4 May 66, he enlisted in the Regular Air Force. On 26 Apr 70, the applicant was released from active duty upon completion of required active duty time and transferred to the Air Force Reserves (AFRES). He was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 23 days of total active service, to include 1 year, 4 months, and 9 days of Foreign Service. According to historical data from the Air Force Personnel Services website, the 834th Air Division was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the period of 15 Oct 66 through 1 Dec 71. On 15 Feb 72, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge from the AFRES, effective 10 Feb 72. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial, indicating that after a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record and documentation provided, they were unable to substantiate the applicant’s request for Foreign Service time in Vietnam. However, they were able to verify and confirm Foreign Service boots on ground in the Republic of the Philippines from 17 Dec 68 to 25 Apr 70. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant provided a VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, dated 26 Aug 14 with a DD Form 48, Personnel Security Questionnaire, undated, as an attachment, where he annotated that he visited or resided in Tonsonnut and Camron Bay Air Force Bases, Republic of Vietnam from Dec 68 to Apr 70 (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 AFPC/DPAPP indicating that they were unable to substantiate Foreign Service in Vietnam; however, after a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe that corrective action is warranted. In this respect, we find the letter mailed to his wife with a return address of the 834th Air Division coupled with the DD Form 48 that reflects that he was TDY to Vietnam sufficient to conclude that the applicant more likely than not had “boots on the ground” in the Republic of Vietnam. Accordingly, we recommend his 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 the Republic of Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01561 in Executive Session on 11 Feb 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Apr 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Available Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 21 Jul 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Aug 14. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 26 Aug 14, w/atchs.