IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00549
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
The Vietnam Service Medal be added to his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty.
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

As a C-141 pilot, he flew into Vietnam on three separate occasions (9 October 1972, 10 October 1972 and 24 May 1973). His DD Form 214 indicates that he had 3 days of service in Indochina, yet the Vietnam Service Medal was omitted.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 7 April 1971.

AF Form 77, Company Grade Officer Effectiveness Report, for the period 8 April 1972 thru      12 November 1972 indicates the applicant was a C-141 pilot who flew over global routes, including the combat zone of SEA [Southeast Asia].

On 27 June 1975, the applicant was released from active duty with an honorable character of service, and was credited with 4 years, 2 months, and 21 days of Active Service and 4 months, and 10 days of Foreign Service. His DD Form 214, item 19 (Indochina or Korea Service Since August 5, 1964), dated 25 November 1974, indicates “Yes – 3 Days,” which appears to correspond with periods indicated on the applicant’s DD Forms 1351.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisories at Exhibits C and F.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 1965 and before 28 March 1973. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same period also were eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal. 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. There is no documentation verifying the applicant served in the area of eligibility for award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 20 July 2016, for comment (Exhibit D). The applicant responded on 26 July 2017 and contests virtually every point made by AFPC/DP3SP. He argues that he flew supplies into the Republic of Vietnam and human remains out of the area, as evidenced by his flight records that indicate he flew combat hours on 9 and 10 October 1972. Therefore, he met the criteria for the Vietnam Service Medal by flying one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations as evidenced by his flight records. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E.
ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

USAF/A3TM is  able to verify the applicant did  log combat hours  between  9 October  1972  and 24 May 1973. However, they  are  unable  to  verify  the  hours  were  flown  in  the  Republic  of  Vietnam.  The complete advisory at Exhibit D.
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 12 July 2018, for comment (Exhibit F), but has received no response.
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1.	The application was not timely filed.

2.	The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.	After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. While the Board notes the comments of AFPC/DP3SP indicating that relief should be denied, the Board believes a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions. In this respect, the Board notes that the applicant’s performance report for the period 8 April 1972 thru 12 November 1972 reflects that he was a C-141 pilot who flew combat missions in Southeast Asia. In addition, AF/A3TM verified the applicant’s flight records indicate that he logged combat hours between 9 October 1972 and 24 May 1973. Therefore, the Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence supports the applicant participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the area of eligibility to qualify for the Vietnam Service Medal. Accordingly, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records 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 the DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 27 June 1975 discharge be amended in Block 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), to reflect the Vietnam Service Medal.
CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-00549 in Executive Session on 4 October 2018:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member
All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A: Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 3 February 2016. Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records. Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 16 May 2016.
Exhibit D: Advisory notification, SAF/MRBC, dated 20 July 2016. Exhibit E:  Applicant’s Response, w/atchs, dated 26 July 2016.
Exhibit F:  Advisory opinion, USAF/A3TM, dated 17 October 2017.
Exhibit G: Advisory notification, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 12 July 2018.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.

X 

10/19/2018

Board Operations Manager, AFBCMR