RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02591

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE
	
	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect the applicant’s participation in the Vietnam Air Offensive Campaigns II and III.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was checking his DD Form 214 and found an error in his record.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former Air Force Sergeant.  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:

Due to the unavailability of the applicant’s official military personnel record AFPC/DP3SP was unable to validate the applicant’s eligibility for the Vietnam Service Medal and only provided an informational advisory.

AFPC/DP3SP recommends granting the application.  After consideration of the applicant’s rebuttal, DP3SP reasoned the applicant, more likely than not, was assigned in the area of eligibility for award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  If approved, the applicant should also be awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  The complete advisories are at Exhibits C and F.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 17 Mar 17 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 4 May 17.  In his response, the applicant provided a document from his service record.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.  

The Board sent a copy of the revised Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 27 Jun 17 for comment (Exhibit G), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed, but it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

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 the applicant is the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  The applicant, more likely than not, was assigned in the area of eligibility for award of the Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  Therefore, the Board recommends 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 his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, effective 9 May 1970, be amended to reflect the Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

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-2016-02591 in Executive Session on 22 May 18:

, 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 20 Jun 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 14 Jan 17.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 17 Mar 17.
Exhibit E:	Applicant’s response, w/atch, dated 4 May 17.
Exhibit F:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 21 Jun 17.
Exhibit G:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 27 Jun 17.

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