RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00408 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded service credit and decorations associated with his service in the Republic of Vietnam. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in Vietnam; however, his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States – Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 22 Jun 69 discharge, does not reflect his decorations and service in Vietnam. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 27 Sep 65, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force for a period of four years. On 22 Jun 69, the applicant was released from active duty and was credited with 3 years, 8 months, and 26 days of active duty service, including 1 year, 5 months, and 1 day of foreign service. According to his Airman Performance Report (APR) for the period 28 Sep 67 - 27 Sep 68, he was assigned to the 21 Tactical Airlift Squadron. The report also notes in Section VII, Comments/Indorsements, that the applicant completed an extended Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment in SEA. The Air Force Personnel Services (AFPS) website reflects that the 21 Tactical Airlift Squadron was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm (RVNGC, w/P) from 1 Apr 66 – 28 Jan 73. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends the Board review the records to determine whether they support the applicant was TDY to Vietnam. DPAPP indicates that they were able to verify and confirm foreign service at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, from 22 Jan 68 to 22 Jun 69, for 1 year, 5 months, and 1 day, which is correctly, reflected on the applicant’s DD Form 214, with a 22 Jun 69 separation date. Although, the applicant has several APRs that indicate he was assigned on TDY to SEA, DPAPP was unable to determine the exact location of the TDY assignments. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states they were unable to verify the applicant served in Vietnam and recommends the Board render a decision. DPSID was unable to locate documentation verifying the applicant served in the area of eligibility and met the criteria for either the Vietnam service Medal (VSM) or the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). Should the Board grant the applicant relief for boots on ground in Vietnam recommend the Board also determine if he should receive award of the VSM and the RVCM. However, to grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. The VSM is awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 65, and before 28 Mar 73. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the VSM. To be eligible, a service member must be: permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more, days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground (military) operations; permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one, or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations; have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. The RVCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 served for six months in South Vietnam, or, served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the United States Armed Forces who meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the VSM during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces; or, did not complete the length of service required, but who, during wartime, were: wounded by the enemy (in a military action), captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released, killed in action or in the line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and served in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. After a thorough review of the applicant's military personnel record DPSID were unable to verify any awards for service in Vietnam to include the VSM and the RVCM. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. AFPC/DPAPP revised their initial evaluation and indicates that they do not support awarding service credit for Vietnam and defer to the Board for final approval or disapproval. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit E. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He served for a little less than four years because of hazardous missions flown in SEA. Recently, he was looking for assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for hearing aids and while going through the process he noticed that his DD Form 214 did not reflect he served in Vietnam. He provided a supply progress report from his crew chief, flight chief, and maintenance officer, to DPAPP, which clearly demonstrates that he was on an extended period of duty in SEA on the wing’s sensitive Flare/Forward Air Controller Mission (Blind Bat). In Mar 68, while TDY to Cam Rahn Bay, his aircraft (tail Number 57-473) was hit with a mortar attack and hit a fuel dump a few planes down from his plane. In addition, it has already been confirmed that in Sept 68, he was TDY to Thailand flying flare missions (Blind Bat). It is very difficult to comprehend with the flight records, TDY pay and hazardous duty pay, that these records cannot be located. He finds the recommendation short sighted. He is sure that with the proper research, his aircraft 57-473 would have logged several of his SEA combat missions and with that research a more positive recommendation for service to his country could be reached. The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit G. 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. We note DPSID recommends denial stating that with the exception of the APR, closing 27 Sep 68, there is no official documentation referencing a TDY to Vietnam. While the applicant has not provided conclusive evidence that he completed a TDY to Vietnam, it is our opinion the APR for the period ending 27 Sep 68 coupled with AFPS’s database appear to weigh more in favor of amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 to reflect award of the VSM with one Bronze Service Star (VSM, w/1BSS) and his service in Vietnam. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent 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 in Sep 68. b. His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 22 Jun 69 discharge, be amended in Block 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons, Awarded or Authorized, to include the Vietnam Service Medal, with one Bronze Service Star. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-00408 in Executive Session on 20 Nov 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 21 Jan 14, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 11 Mar 14. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 2 Jun 14. Exhibit E. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 21 Jul 14. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Aug 14. Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Aug 14, w/atch.