RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04804 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he served in the Republic of Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, does not reflect or credit him with his three deployments to Vietnam, or time served in Chu Lai or Nha Trang. The only tangible evidence of his time served in Vietnam consists of photos taken of him in Nha Trang. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records indicate that he commenced his active duty service on 27 May 1967. On 5 February 1971, the applicant was honorably discharged from the Air Force and was credited with 3 years, 10 months, and 23 days of total active service. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial, indicating the applicant’s master personnel records do not contain information that reflects he had “boots on ground” in the Republic of Vietnam. In order to substantiate his claim, the applicant should provide documents such as travel vouchers, evaluation reports, and letters of evaluation, decorations, or official military documentation that reflects completed travel to include it inclusive travel periods. While his service in Vietnam could not be validated, review of his records confirmed he should have been credited with foreign service during the period of 27 May 1967 to 5 February 1971, for a total of 1 year, 11 months, and 17 days. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reiterates his argument that he deployed on numerous times to Vietnam, Thailand, Korea and other locations in the Southeast Asia region. Specifically, he had “boots on ground” in Vietnam during the period of 1968 – 1969. While he appreciates the correction to have his foreign service updated due to the documentation in his records, he believes some deployment records are missing and his deployment to Vietnam was not well documented because of its sensitive location. However, verification can be made of his service in Vietnam through his pay records and submitted photos. Nevertheless, he believes a review of his record, his statement, and photos should be sufficient evidence of his service in Vietnam. A complete copy of the applicant’s response 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. The applicant contends he served in Vietnam during the period of 1968 through 1969. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe a preponderance of the evidence supports corrective action. While we note the comments of AFPC/DPAPP indicating there was a lack of documentation to support the applicant’s claim that he had “boots on ground” in the Republic of Vietnam, the applicant has provided photos, which, in our view, substantiate his presence in Vietnam. As such, we find it reasonable to conclude he had “boots on ground” in Vietnam. Additionally, we note the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) has determined the applicant’s records should be corrected to reflect his foreign service. Therefore, in view of the above, we recommend correcting the applicant’s record 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: a. He had boots-on-the-ground in Vietnam. b. Block 22(c), Foreign and/or Sea Service, of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect that he was credited with 1 year, 11 months, and 17 days of foreign service. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-04804 in Executive Session on 18 July 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 October 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 28 November 2012. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 December 2012. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 3 January 2013.