RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02273 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect his Vietnam combat service. 2. His DD Form 214 be corrected to show he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). (ADMINISTRATIVELY CORRECTED) ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was attached to the 6990th Security Group as a translator on an RC-135 that flew reconnaissance missions around North Vietnam. He earned an Aircrew Member combat badge and three Air Medals for those missions. He was also awarded the Air Foce Commendation Medal for his participation in Operation Frequent Wind, an operation the Air Force particiaped in in 1975. He received combat and hazardous duty pay every month for that tour of duty. The location and nature of these missions were highly sensitive; therefore, they were left off of his DD Form 214. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, and other supporting documentation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 24 November 1971. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on 17 August 1975. He was credited with serving 3 years, 8 months and 24 days of active duty service. On 28 November 2011, AFPC/DPSIDR advised the applicant they were able to verify his entitlement to the AFCM. Accordingly, his records will be administratively corrected. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. A review of the applicant’s Master Personnel Records failed to substantiate any foreign service in Vietnam. The complete DPAPP evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reiterates he served as an airborne linguist based in Okinawa, Japan. He held a top secret clearance and performed sensitive missions in Vietnam and China. He has spoken with fellow Airmen who served with him during this time and they also have missing records. He is not sure if this is intentional to keep the missions a secret, but hundreds of men and women are being denied credit for serving in the Vietnam combat zone. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ 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 and the available evidence of record 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 that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. While the applicant has a commendable record of service, regrettably, the record does not confirm service in Vietnam. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to grant the relief soufght in this application. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2011-02273 in Executive Session on 12 January 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 Jun 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 1 Nov 11, w/atchs. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Dec 11. Exhibit E. Applicant’s Response, dated 15 Dec 11, w/atchs.