RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04386 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His Vietnam service be included on his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge. He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He spent time at Cam Rah Bay, DaNang, Tan Son Nhut, Pieku, and Khe Sanh, Vietnam and flew as crew chief on missions throughout South Vietnam. He was in Vietnam and lost his Temporary Duty (TDY) orders and pay records due to divorce. He is seventy years of age and would like to get Agent Orange benefits. In support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of his honorable discharge certificate, a response to his request for records from the National Personnel Records Center, DD Form 214, AF Form 4, Chronological Listing of Service and various other documents associated with his requests. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 1 Sep 64 and was honorably released from active duty on 11 Aug 68. Aeronautical Order number 56, dated 1 Jun 68, indicates the applicant was designated as a “non-crew” member and was required to participate frequently and regularly in aerial flights during the period of 1 Jun 68 thru 30 Jun 68. The applicant’s AF Form 910, TSgt, SSgt and A1C Performance Report, for the period ending 2 Jun 68, states “During this reporting period he has been utilized as Assistant Crew Chief on C-130E aircraft with highly satisfactory results…Since being assigned as Assistant Crew Chief...He has completed several tours of TDY in Vietnam, receiving many favorable comments on the aircraft to which he was assigned.” The VSM was awarded to members of the Armed Forces who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73 served in the following areas of Southeast Asia: in Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. The time limitations may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. The VSM was also awarded to those who actually participate as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The applicant’s performance report with a closeout date 2 Jun 68 lists his duty as aircraft mechanic, assistant crew chief; however, only orders showing the applicant as a designated non-crew member were located. The applicant's performance report with a closeout date 27 Jun 68 states he completed several tours of temporary duty in Vietnam, which places him in country. However, the dates to determine if the time served in the area of eligibility criteria has been met are unavailable. There is no official documentation nor was any provided with this request to verify the applicant served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the area of eligibility for award of the VSM or that he participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DODM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reiterates that he is eligible for the VSM based on his various flights throughout the Pacific area. He also believes that a mission to Bangkok qualifies him for the VSM. He asserts that the term “Crew Chief” is being misunderstood in that a Crew Chief was assigned to an aircraft and responsible for the specialist performing maintenance on the aircraft and etc. The Crew Chief was not part of the crew manifest and the term Crew Chief as it applied in Vietnam may not be fully understood. In further support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, a letter to the Review Board, AF Form 77A, Supplemental Sheet to AF Forms 75, 77, 707 and 475, and a chronological listing of his service. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant amending his DD Form 214 to include his service in Vietnam, or to add the VSM. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, in judging the merits of the case; however, we are not convinced the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the applicant’s performance report indicates he served as an “Assistant Crew Chief” and completed several tours of TDY in Vietnam. However, the criteria for award of the VSM specifically states the VSM was awarded to those who actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations. Given the applicant’s aeronautical orders dated 1 Jun 68, do not reflect that he was a crew member but rather a non-crew member, he has not provided substantial evidence to show that he meets the criteria for award of the VSM. Should the applicant provide evidence, such as TDY orders, travel voucher or evidence that he was assigned to an authorized aircrew position, we would be willing to reconsider his request. In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to grant the relief sought in this portion of his application. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant partial relief. Although we cannot conclusively determine the exact dates the applicant was in Vietnam, based on the applicant’s performance report for the reporting period of 2 Jun 67 through 2 Jun 68 indicating he completed several TDY tours in Vietnam, we recommend that he be issued a “boots on the ground” letter to show that he served in Vietnam. Accordingly, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below. 5. 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 issues 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 the Republic of Vietnam. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04386 in Executive Session on 8 Jul 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 Dec 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Mar 15. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 13 Apr 15, w/atchs.