RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04765 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His records be corrected to reflect his foreign service in Vietnam and Thailand. 2. His records be corrected to reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 3. In a letter dated 20 Jun 15, the applicant also requests award the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served as a crew chief and flew combat missions out of Thailand, over Laos, Cambodia and Northern Vietnam. In support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of a one-page statement, VSM criteria, DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty; and two AF Forms 626, Request and Authorization for Temporary Duty, dated 24 Nov 71 and 13 Mar 73. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, on 10 Nov 70, he entered the Regular Air Force. On 9 Nov 74, the applicant received an honorable discharge. He was credited with 4 years, 1 month, and 11 days of total active service and one year of Foreign Service. The VSM was awarded to members of the Armed Forces who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. The RVCM is awarded to members of the armed forces who, during the period 1 Mar 61 through 28 Mar 73, served for at least six months in South Vietnam; or served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) armed forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members who meet the criteria for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) or VSM during the period of service are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN armed forces. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request for Foreign Service credit in Vietnam and Thailand. A review of the applicant’s records did not provide any documents to substantiate service time in Vietnam or Thailand. A copy of the complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends approval of the applicant’s request for award of the VSM. Although they were unable to locate official documentation verifying the applicant was eligible for award of the VSM, the compilation of documentation shows that it is more likely than not that the applicant was an Assistant Crew Chief on a KC 135 and participated in Operation YOUNG TIGER refueling the fighter planes involved in conflict in the area of eligibility for 60 days on temporary duty and therefore is eligible for award of the VSM. The applicant's AF Form 909, Airman Performance Report, for the period of 2 Aug 71 through 3 Aug 72, reflects the applicant served as an Assistant Crew Chief/Tanker on a KC-135A assigned to the 97th Organizational Maintenance Squadron. The applicant provided a copy of Special Order T-2295, dated 10 Nov 71, directing him to participate in Operation YOUNG TIGER with a proceed on or about 24 Nov 71 for 60 days, to U-Tapao Air Field, Thailand, with variations authorized. However, DPSID was unable to verify the travel was accomplished. Operation YOUNG TIGER was a refueling project for fighter planes in the Vietnam conflict. A copy of the complete AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reiterates his assertion that he is eligible for the VSM and in addition, believes he is eligible for the RVCM as well. He served as a crew chief on a KC-135A and traveled the world to places such as Alaska, England, Spain, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines, and Guam. He also flew combat sorties supporting fighters and B52s over Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam for which he received combat pay while in South East Asia. In further support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of a signed statement from a coworker stating that he was in Thailand with the applicant in 1971 and 1972, an award he earned for his support in Utapao, Thailand, and three AFTO Forms 781, Aircraft Flight Data Record, in which he asserts were out of Kadena AB, Japan and various other documents associated with his requests. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit F. 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the available evidence and the applicant’s complete submission, we are not persuaded his records should be corrected to reflect Foreign Service in Vietnam. Therefore, with the exception of AFPC/DPAPP’s recommendation to deny the applicant’s request for Foreign Service credit in Thailand, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DPAPP and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof of the existence of either an error or injustice. With respect to the applicant’s request to be awarded the RVCM, as noted above, the applicant has not provided substantial evidence that he served in Vietnam. Additionally, he has not provided sufficient evidence that he served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN armed forces for an aggregate of six months. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this portion of his application. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant award of the VSM. After carefully reviewing this request, we agree with the recommendation of DPSID that the applicant more likely than not participated in Operation YOUNG TIGER in the area of eligibility for 60 days and is therefore eligible for the VSM. Additionally, the applicant has provided a TDY order directing him to Thailand and a statement from a coworker corroborating that he was in Thailand with the applicant during the same timeframe. Thus, in addition to the VSM, we believe it is appropriate that the applicant’s record reflect he had boots on the ground in Thailand. Therefore, 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that: a. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. b. He had boots-on-the-ground in Thailand. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04765 in Executive Session on 3 Sep 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 Nov 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 3 Jun 15. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 20 Jun 15, w/atchs. 1 2