RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04089

                		     COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His service in Vietnam be validated (Boots-on-the-Ground).

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to show he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM.)

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He needs to verify his service in the Republic of Vietnam to submit to the Veteran’s Administration for service related disabilities secondary to exposure to Agent Orange. 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
 
On 10 Oct 63, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force. 

The applicant has provided Special Order T-1181 issued by HQs 832 Combat Support Group (TAC) dated 5 August 1964 directing the TDY (to location not specified) of the applicant and others for approximately 90 days.

The applicant received an Air Force Form 75, USAF Airman Performance Report for the period from 10 Oct 63 to 9 Oct 64.  The reporting official in Section VII under “Other Comments” states the applicant, “has been deployed on Operation One-Buck since 3 August 1964 to support Wing assigned aircraft on deployment.”  The Air Force Form 75 was signed on 6 November 1964.

Research of the Air Force Historical Studies Division website provides Air Force Document 101013-038, The U.S. Air Force in Southeast Asia, The War in South Vietnam, The Years of the Offensive, by John Schlight, published in 1999, describes Operation One-Buck as a component air strike force deployed in August 1964 to Bien Hoa, South Vietnam.

The applicant’s Air Force Form 7, Airman Military Record credits the applicant with Foreign Service (TDY) from 5 August 1964 until 28 November 1964.

On 24 Sep 65, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 1 year, 11 months and 15 days of active service, to include 4 months of Foreign Service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  A review of the applicant’s Master Personnel Record and documents from the applicant could not substantiate the applicant served in Vietnam.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial of awarding the applicant the AFCGM indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  

The Air Force Good Conduct Medal was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 1 Jun 63.  The medal is awarded to enlisted personnel during a three-year period of active military service or for a one-year period of service during a time of war.  Airmen awarded this medal must have had character and efficiency ratings of excellent or higher throughout the qualifying period.  In accordance with Executive Order 8809, amended by Executive Order 9323 the Air Force Good Conduct Medal may also be awarded to service members who complete more than one year but less than three years if the Air Force Good Conduct Medal has not been previously awarded.  The Air Force Good Conduct Medal is awarded for a one-year period of service during a time of war only when a formal declaration of war has been made and approved by the United States Congress.

The applicant was ineligible for award of the AFGCM since his service was less than the 3-years required for this award.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 3 Aug 16 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; 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 with regard to awarding the AFGCM to the applicant.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant did not complete the length of service required for award of the AFGCM.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence was presented to warrant partial relief with regard to his service in Vietnam. We believe the applicant is the victim of an error in that his temporary duty was not properly documented as service in South Vietnam.  While we note the comments of AFPC/DPAPP indicating relief should be denied because the applicant’s records contain no documentation substantiating the applicant’s served in South Vietnam we believe the preponderance of the evidence substantiates he did serve in South Vietnam from 5 Aug 64 to 28 Nov 64.  In this respect, we note the applicant’s Air Force Form 75, USAF Airman Performance Report for the period from 10 Oct 63 to 9 Oct 64 states the applicant, “has been deployed on Operation One-Buck since 3 Aug 64 to support Wing assigned aircraft on deployment.” Operation One-Buck was a component air strike force deployed in Augv64 to Bien Hoa, South Vietnam.  By itself, this is sufficient evidence to conclude the applicant did have service in South Vietnam.  The timeframe of the applicant’s deployment during Operation One-Buck is corroborated by the applicant’s Air Force Form 7, Airman Military Record crediting him with Foreign Service from 5 Aug 64 until 28 Nov 64. Additionally, the applicant provided Special Order T-1181 issued by HQs 832 Combat Support Group (TAC) dated 5 Aug 64, which directed a TDY of the applicant. The applicant’s DD Form 214 also credits him with 4 months of Foreign Service.  Based on the totality of the evidence, it is the Board’s conclusion the applicant served in South Vietnam from 5 Aug 64 to 28 Nov 64. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.  

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant had boots-on-the-ground in the Republic of South Vietnam during Operation One-Buck from 5 August 1964 to 28 November 1964.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04089 in Executive Session on 1 Dec 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04089 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 16 Sep 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 21 Jun 16.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 25 Jul 16.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Aug 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.