RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-00320
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records reflect time served in Vietnam and that he receive a 
certificate reflecting his performance of combat support in 
Vietnam.

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He performed combat support missions in Vietnam as noted in his 
flight record.  He also received a Vietnam medal; however, he 
cannot prove it due to the paperwork being mishandled and lost 
after transitioning from his home to a care facility after major 
surgery.

In support of the applicant’s appeal, he provides a personal 
statement and documents extracted from his military personnel 
records.

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.

________________________________________________________________
_

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Reserve Order EL-1373 reflects the applicant retired on 
3 February 1990 in the grade of senior master sergeant with 
37 years, 7 months and 13 days of service for basic pay.

________________________________________________________________
_

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP states a review of the 
applicant’s master personnel records and documentation submitted 
failed to provide any documents that substantiate foreign 
service time in Vietnam.

The DPAPP complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.


USAF/A30-A1F recommends the applicant use the attached 
Individual Flight Record (IFR) as proof of his performance of 
combat support.  A30-AIF states according to the IFR dated 31 
July 1970 provided - the applicant completed two sorties on a C-
124C aircraft for 5.0 flight hours on 15 July 1970 which 
included 5.0 hours of combat support time.  The IFR is an 
official Air Force flight record and validates his performance 
of combat support.  Additionally, the applicant requested a 
certificate stating his performance of combat support time; 
however, a combat support certificate does not exist.

The A30-A1F complete evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit 
D.

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 1 April 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was 
forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 
30 days (Exhibit E).  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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an injustice.  Based on the 
applicant’s IFR dated 31 July 1970 which reflects the applicant 
completed two sorties on a C-124C aircraft for 5.0 flight hours 
on 15 July 1970 which included 5.0 hours of combat support time 
- the majority of the board believes that relief is warranted.  
A30-A1F states that the IFR is an official Air Force flight 
record and validates the applicant’s performance of combat 
support.  Therefore, we believe a reasonable basis exists to 
conclude the applicant served in Vietnam.  In regards to his 
request for a certificate reflecting his performance of combat 
support time – we note that A30-A1F states that a certificate of 
such does not exist.  The applicant can use his IFR as proof of 
his performance.  Therefore, with no basis to question the 
applicant’s integrity, and in recognition of his service to the 
Nation, the majority of the board recommends the 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 on 15 July 1970.

________________________________________________________________
_

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-00320 in Executive Session on 17 October 2013, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:


By a majority vote, the Board recommended approval of the 
application.     voted to deny the applicant’s request but does 
not desire to submit a minority report.  The following 
documentary evidence was considered:

  Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 January 2013, w/atchs.
  Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Available Master Personnel Records.
  Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 14 February 2013.
  Exhibit D.  Letter, USAF/A30-A1F, dated 12 March 2013, w/atch.
  Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 April 2013.
1 2