RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02094

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect his service in Vietnam.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His time at both Da Nang AB, Vietnam, and Tan-Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, on 4 Mar 68 while delivering an F-4 aircraft, meets the definition of “boots on the ground.”  After delivering the F-4 to Da Nang AB, he traveled via C-130 aircraft to Tan-Son Nhut, changing to a different C-130, then on to Bangkok, Thailand.   

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 3 Mar 65.

On 12 May 70, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, transferred to the Air Force Reserve, and was credited with 5 years, 4 months, and 28 days of active service, to include 2 years and 20 days of foreign service.   

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The applicant’s Master Personnel Records and the information provided did not contain information reflecting the applicant served in Vietnam.  They were able to verify and confirm foreign service “boots on ground” in Guam and Thailand, but could not verify any foreign service in Vietnam.  

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant refutes the OPR’s inability to verify and confirm  his “boots on ground” in Vietnam by reiterating his aircraft delivery mission on 4 Mar 68, and suggesting there should be records of this mission at the F-4 overhaul facility at Hill AFB, Utah.  He stated he has no additional supportive information, and reiterates   his only objective of this application is to get DD Form 214 recognition that he had “boots on ground” in Vietnam.  

A complete copy of the applicant’s rebuttal 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; 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 injustice.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  While we note the comments of AFPC/DPAPP indicating that relief should be denied because the applicant’s records contain no documentation substantiating his contention that he had “boots on ground” in Vietnam, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted.  In this respect, we note the applicant has provided copies of his orders for the purpose of delivering an F-4 aircraft to Da Nang AB, Vietnam, flight records showing flight time in the F-4 aircraft during the matter in question, to include combat time logged, which we believe is for his flight into Da Nang AB, Vietnam.  This evidence, coupled with the AFPC/DPAPP’s “boots on ground” letter to the applicant confirming his foreign service time in Guam and Thailand, which occurred during the matter in question, and in the South East Asia AOR with the Republic of Vietnam, compels us to believe the applicant did have “boots on ground” in the Republic of Vietnam, on 4 Mar 68.  Therefore, we recommend 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 he had “boots on the ground” in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 March 1968.  

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02094 in Executive Session on 22 Jun 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 16 May 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 18 Aug 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Jan 17.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 6 Feb 17.  

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.