RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-01571
			COUNSEL:  NONE
			HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to show his service in the 
Thailand.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

While stationed at Fairchild AFB, WA he was sent on Temporary 
Duty (TDY) to U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand in Dec 1968 into 1969.

He has health issues related to Agent Orange.  He  but cannot 
get Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) benefits as a Veteran 
of the Vietnam War because there is nothing annotated on his DD 
Form 214 that shows he was in Southeast Asia.  

His pay records should show flight and combat pay.

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214; extracts from his AF Form 7, Airman Military 
Record; Standard Form 88, Report of Medical Examination, and 
Special Order GB-558.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force 
from 28 Dec 66 to 9 Dec 70.  His DD Form 214 reflects a total of 
3 years, 11 months, and 12 days of total active service, with 
1 year, 4 months, and 10 days of Foreign Service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP states that a review of the 
applicant’s Master Personnel Records (MPR) and evidence 
submitted failed to provide any documentation that would 
substantiate Foreign Service in Thailand.  

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In 1968, he went TDY to Kadena AFB, Japan for six months.  
Shortly thereafter, he received orders to U-Tapao, Thailand.

He provides a notarized statement from a former airman stating 
that he was stationed in Thailand with the applicant.  

He understands there was a fire in St. Louis and Air Force 
records were lost after 1969.  His SF 88 reflects a medical 
history in Thailand.  He resubmits the extract from his AF Form 
7 which reflects his combat missions in 1969.  

As a ground crew member of a KC-135 aircraft, he was on flying 
status and received combat pay due to combat missions.

It is concerning that he served his country for four years and 
was away from his home and family, and cannot be acknowledged 
for this service because someone dropped the ball on validating 
his records.

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit E.

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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 to warrant 
partial relief.  We note that the office of primary 
responsibility recommends denial stating they were unable to 
substantiate Foreign Service in Thailand.  However, we find the 
medical documentation, witness statement, and extract from his 
AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, which reflects an aerial 
combat mission sufficient to conclude that he had boots on the 
ground in Thailand.  While the applicant requests his DD Form 
214 be corrected to reflect service in Thailand; in accordance 
with Department of Defense directives, the DD Form 214 will not 
be reissued or amended to reflect specific locations served in 
an AOR.  Therefore, in view of the above, we recommend his 
records be corrected to the extent indicated below.  

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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 Thailand.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-01571 in Executive Session on 9 Jan 14, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 13 Mar 13, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 11 Jul 13.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Jul 13.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, dated 6 Aug 13, w/atchs.
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