RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02332 

						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 show his service in Thailand and award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served a 179-day TDY approximately from 15 Mar 68 through 15 Aug 68 at U-Tapao, Thailand, during Operation ARC Light. 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 15 Nov 61, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force.

The applicant received a performance report, AF Form 910, TSGT, SSGT, SGT Performance Report, with period of report from 6 Sep 67 to 18 Mar 68 wherein Section VII. Comments of Reporting Official the rater states: “SSgt XXXXXX on a recent ARC Lite deployment provided a dependable and reliable aircraft to Combat Crews on each and every sortie scheduled.”

According to the Air Force Historical Division website, Operation Arc–Light involved the expanded use of B-52s for conventional use, vice nuclear, in supporting ground troops through saturation bombing in Vietnam.  This use of B-52s began in 1965.  The use of B-52s in the defense of XXXXXXXXXX in 1968 developed into one of the most significant air campaigns to date in Souteast Asia. 

The applicant received a performance report, AF Form 910, with period of report from 19 Mar 68 to 13 Sep 68 wherein Section I, Item 4: Oranization, Location and Command is entered as : “92nd OMS, Fairchild AFB, Wash w/dy stn, 4258th Orgl Maint Sq, U-Tapao AFld, Thailand (SAC).” The period of supervision is also listed as 165 days, which would cover the 5 months and 12 days shown as Foreign Service on his DD Form 214.  In Section VII. “Comments of Reporting Official the rater states: “His strict adherence to technical data, directives and safety practice and his dedication to duty has saved the 4258th Strat Wing deviations from the assigned mission in Southeast Asia.”   

On 12 Mar 69, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and credited with 7 years, 3 months, and 28 days of active service.

The Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Services who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: Vietnam and its contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.  To be eligible, a service member must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more days with an organization participating in or directly support ground (military) operations, or have directly participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations, or, have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.

According to the Air Force Recognition Program website the 4258th Organizational Maintainence Squadron received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Ribbon (RVNGCWP)in 1977 for the period from 15 Jul 66 to 31 Mar 70 per order GB-764.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. A review of the applicant’s military record failed to find any evidence he was assigned to Thailand.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3AM evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 13 Dec 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  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.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case.  The applicant asks that his overseas service location in Thailand be recorded on his DD Form 214.  However, specific locations are not included on the DD Form 214; the time served overseas is.  As noted, the applicant’s Foreign Service of 5 months and 12 days, corresponding to his tour of duty in Thailand, is accurately recorded. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend adding his overseas location in Thailand to his DD Form 214.

As noted above, the Board, based on a preponderance of the evidence, concluded the applicant served with the 4258 Organizational Maintenance Squadron (OMS), U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand from 19 Mar 68 through 13 Sep 68.  This overseas time is documented in the AF 910, Enlisted Performance Report, completed while assigned to the 4258th OMS. Based on this, the applicant should be issued a “Boots-on-the-Ground” letter to serve as evidence of his foreign overseas service in Thailand.  The Board also determined from this evidence the applicant qualifies for award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).  Additionally, research of the Air Force Recognition website lists the 4258th OMS as having been awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Ribbon (RVNGCWP)in 1977 for the period from 15 Jul 66 to 31 Mar 70 per order GB-764. The applicant was assigned to this unit during the time period, qualifying him for this award. Thus, the Board recommends the applicant receive a “Boots-on-the-Ground” letter for service in Thailand and he be awarded the VSM and the RVNGCWP.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show on his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued on 12 March 1969, that he was awarded the  Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Ribbon; the Board further recommends that he be issued a “Boots-on-the-Ground” letter for his foreign overseas service at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, from 19 Mar 68 through 13 Sep 68.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02332 in Executive Session on 21 Sep 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records:

					, Panel Chair
					, Member
					, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02332 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 Jun 16, w/atch(s).
	Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 9 Sep 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 13 Dec 16, w/atch(s).
	
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.