RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03241 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His middle name be corrected (administratively corrected). 2. His records be corrected to reflect Foreign Service time in Vietnam and he be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: There should be a “Vietnam Veteran” status correction made to his DD Form 214. In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge and passport The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 3 Oct 63, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. He served four years of total active service and was not credited with any Foreign Service time. On 11 May 15, AFPC/DPSIR notified the applicant that his middle name had been updated and provided him with a copy form AF Form 281, Notification of Change in Service Member’s Official Records, to use as a source document. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request to correct his record to show Foreign Service time in Vietnam. A review of the applicant’s Master Personnel Records and documentation provided failed to provide any documents that substantiate Foreign Service time in Vietnam. Even though one of the applicant’s performance reports indicates a Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to Southeast Asia in support of mission “Young Tiger,” they were unable to determine the location of this duty. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends approval of the VSM. Although they were unable to locate more conclusive documentation verifying the applicant was eligible for and served in the area of eligibility on TDY for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days for award of the VSM; the compilation of documentation shows that it is more likely than not that he was an Assistant Crew Chief, who served in the capacity of Crew Chief on a KC-135 that participated in Project Young Tiger refueling the fighter planes involved in conflict in the area of eligibility for 58 days on TDY and therefore, is eligible for the VSM. The VSM was awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 Jul 65, and before 28 Mar 73. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the VSM. To be eligible, a service member must be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations; permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more, days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; 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 applicant’s AF Form 909, A1C, A2C and AB Performance Report, for the period 3 Oct 65 through 2 Oct 66, section II, Duties, states Current Duty: Assistant Crew Chief, KC-135A, section VII, Comments of Reporting Official states “an outstanding example of [the applicant’s] abilities in this line of endeavor was displayed during a recent “Young Tiger” mission to Southeast Asia. Shortly after they arrived at their TDY destination the Crew Chief was called back to the continental United States on emergency leave. The [applicant] along with one other airman took the aircraft and flew 57 missions in 58 days without a single deviation...These missions were flown under very adverse conditions.” According to their research efforts, Operation Young Tiger was a refueling project for fighter planes in the Vietnam conflict. The Air Force Longevity Service Medal should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 3 Oct 63 to 2 Oct 67, and was not reflected in his records. Upon final determination by the Board, DPSOR will administratively correct the applicant’s records. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 18 May 15, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed. While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years ago, in our view, the reasonable date of discovery of the alleged error or injustice was more than three years ago and the application is therefore untimely. 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 regarding the applicant’s request for award of the VSM and Foreign Service time. Although DPSID was unable to verify the exact location the applicant served in Southeast Asia, we agree with their assessment that the applicant more likely than not served in the capacity of crew chief on a KC-135 aircraft that participated in Project Young Tiger for 58 days, refueling fighter planes in the area of responsibility during the Vietnam conflict and is eligible for the VSM. Therefore, in addition to the administrative correction to his middle name, the Board majority recommends his records be corrected to award the VSM and add 58 days of Foreign Service time in Vietnam. Accordingly, the Board majority recommends 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: a. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal for his participation as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the area of responsibility during the Vietnam conflict. b. He participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in Vietnam for 58 days. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03241 in Executive Session on 7 Jul 15 and 13 Nov 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Member Member Member By a majority vote, the members voted to grant the applicant’s request. ----- voted to deny the request and elected not to submit a minority report. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Aug 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 26 Jan 15. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 18 Apr 15 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 May 15.