RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03043
	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect his service in Vietnam and Thailand.
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was a member of an Airborne Intelligence unit and has no proof that he served in Vietnam.

His complete submission is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 1 May 1959 to 12 Oct 1962.  His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge, reflects one year, nine months and two days of Foreign Service.

The applicant’s AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, reflects “1 TDY Trip - 72 days.”

On 16 Aug 1960, the applicant satisfactorily completed a “Twelve months' course in the Vietnamese language” and was issued a Certificate of Training by the 
State Department, Foreign Service Institute.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP states that a review of the applicant’s master personnel records failed to provide any documents that substantiate 
Foreign Service time in Vietnam. 

The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He totally disagrees with DPAPP’s recommendation.  Sometime in 
1960, while working at the National Security Agency he was 
ordered to Clark AFB, Philippines where he served as a 
Vietnamese linguist.  Upon his arrival, he was sent on a 
Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to Bangkok, Thailand for 
approximately six months as part of a C-47 airborne unit.  
During his time in Bangkok he received $19.00 a day per diem 
($570.00 monthly) because there were no available billets.  In 
1962 he was again sent TDY to Da Nang AB, Vietnam for 
approximately nine months.  In Da Nang, his regular pay was in 
the form of "Chits," or script.  He served his country with 
honor and is entitled to get the record straight.

The applicant’s complete response 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 evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting relief.  In this respect, we note the 
applicant’s performance report rendered during the period under review, indicates that he was a Vietnamese linguist assigned to a mobile radio squadron.  
In view of this and since the Air Force Historical Research Agency has confirmed the applicant’s unit of assignment was classified, we believe sufficient 
evidence exists to resolve any doubt in the applicant’s favor.  Therefore, in view of the above we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below.

4.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our 
understanding of the issue(s) involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.
_______________________________________________________________

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 
and Vietnam.
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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 3 Apr 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

      , Panel Chair
      , Member
      , Member

All members voted to correct the record as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR BC-2013-03043 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Jun 2013.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 25 Jul 2013.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Sep 2013.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Sep 2013.
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