RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-03889 INDEX CODE: 108.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect temporary duty (TDY) in Vietnam. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, does not reflect his TDY from June through July 1972 in Vietnam in support of the 319th Tactical Fighter and Field Maintenance Squadrons. In support of his application, the applicant provides personal letters, copies of his DD Forms 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, a copy of special orders, copies of DD Forms 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and copies of letters from AFPC/DPPRY/DPSIR. Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 February 1969 and was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant. He was discharged on 6 December 1972 and furnished an honorable discharge. He served 3 years, 9 months, and 10 days of total active service. On 31 March 2009, AFPC/DPSIDR prepared a DD Form 215 to reflect the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) while serving on temporary duty to Thailand. In response to correspondence received from AFPC/DPSIDR, the applicant states the 4531st Field Maintenance Squadron (FMS) and the 319th TAC Fighter Wing were in and out of Vietnam to support the last military buildup in the war and he fell into that category. While TDY to Udon Thailand, he was transported in and out of Vietnam to repair aircraft deployed from Homestead AFB, FL. Meanwhile, there were never any orders published deploying him from Thailand to Vietnam--just verbal orders to get on a military hop and go while assigned in a special unit code named "A" Mobility Package. He asks the Board to please research the records of the 319th TAC Fighter Wing which will confirm the mission of the 4531st FMS in which he was assigned. Applicant's complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the request and states a thorough review of the applicant's records provided no evidence of his service in Vietnam. Even though he submitted a letter of explanation, this did not verify his presence in Vietnam. The applicant's records only verify foreign duty service in Japan, Thailand, and Alaska from 28 April 1972 until 16 July 1972; a period of 2 months and 19 days. He was asked on 6 March 2009 to provide additional information to verify his service in Vietnam; however, they have not received any additional information. The complete AFPC/DPAPP 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 19 June 2009, for review and response. 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 error or injustice. 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 has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In this regard, we note the applicant's records have been administratively corrected to reflect award of the VSM and the RVNGC w/P for performing TDY in Thailand for a period of 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. However, the Board did not find evidence the applicant performed temporary duty in Vietnam for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Board finds no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-03889 in Executive Session on 26 August 2009, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 29 Sep 08, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 5 Jun 09. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jun 09. Panel Chair