RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04846 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect his service in Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served three months in Vietnam which is not reflected on his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States – Report of Transfer or Discharge. In Sep 1969, he was assigned temporary duty (TDY) to a classified unit. His base of operations was Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. While TDY in Vietnam he saw two high school friends who have provided witness statements. In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of his DD Form 214, a certificate from an Awards and Decorations Officer validating he met the necessary requirements for award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), witness statements and photographs. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 22 Aug 1966 to 28 May 1970. His DD Form 214 reflects no Foreign Service. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states that a review of the applicant’s master personnel records and documentation submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiate Foreign Service time in Vietnam. Although the applicant has a certificate in his records that indicates award of the VSM, this does not substantiate actual Vietnam service. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 10 Dec 2012, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ 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 evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence presented, we are persuaded that relief is warranted. In this respect, we note the applicant has provided photographs, witness statements and official documentation, signed by a unit Awards and Decorations officer stating that he completed the requirements for award of the VSM and served 60 nonconsecutive days in the Republic of Vietnam or contiguous waters in support of military operation. Moreover, his records reflect that he was ordered to perform temporary duty in Vietnam. In view of the above, we find the evidence presented sufficient to recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he had boots on the ground in Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR BC-2012- 04846 in Executive Session on 25 Jul 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Vice Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-2012- 04846: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Oct 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 28 Nov 2012. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Dec 2012.