[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 129 (Monday, July 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 36263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17549]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual 
Groups

    On June 2, 1997, the Secretary of the Air Force determined that the 
service of the group known as ``U.S. Civilian Flight Crew and Aviation 
Ground Support Employees of Braniff Airways, Who Served Overseas as a 
Result of a Contract With the Air Transport Command During the Period 
February 26, 1942, Through August 14, 1945'' shall not be considered 
active duty for purposes of all laws administered by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
    On the other hand, the Secretary of the Air Force determined that 
the service of a sub-group known as ``U.S. Civilian Flight Crew and 
Aviation Ground Support Employees of Braniff Airways, Who Served 
Overseas in the North Atlantic or Under the Jurisdiction of the North 
Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command (ATC), as a Result of a Contract 
With the ATC During the Period February 26, 1942, Through August 14, 
1945'' shall be considered active duty for purposes of all laws 
administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    To be eligible for VA benefits, members of the sub-group must 
establish:
    1. They were civilians employed by Braniff Airways as flight crew 
personnel (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer, radio 
operator), or
    2. They were civilians employed by Braniff Airways as aviation 
ground support personnel (aircraft mechanic, station manager, 
dispatcher), and
    3. Served outside the continental United States in direct support 
of Air Transport Command-directed flight operations in the North 
Atlantic under the jurisdiction of the North Atlantic Wing (ATC) during 
the period February 26, 1942 through August 14, 1945. Qualifying 
periods of time are computed from the date of departure from the 
continental United States to the date of return to the continental 
United States.

Application Procedures

    Before an individual can receive any VA benefits, the person must 
first apply for an Armed Forces Discharge Certificate (Department of 
Defense (DD) Form 214) by filling out a DD Form 2168 and sending it to 
the following address: AFPC/DPPRP, 550 C St. West, Suite 11, Randolph 
Air Force Base, TX 78150-4713.
    Important: Applicants must attach supporting documents to their DD 
Form 2168 application. Of primary importance will be any employment 
records from Braniff Airlines headquarters. Other supporting 
documentation might include copies of passports with appropriate 
entries, flight log books, Army Air Force (AAF) Identification Forms 
133, any personal employment records such as commendations regarding 
ATC performance, employee expense reports of charges to USAAF 
contracts, medical certifications prior to departure from the US, USAAF 
passes to leave the limits of an overseas base, military orders, 
miscellaneous USAAF papers, etc. Additionally, the captain of a flight 
crew may provide written confirmation for other crew members on his 
flight.
    Upon confirmation of an applicant's eligibility, the DD Form 214 
will be passed from AFPC/DPPRP to the Awards and Decorations office (in 
the same building) to determine which ribbons the applicant is eligible 
to receive (campaign ribbons, theater ribbons, victory medal, etc.). 
Specific awards (i.e., Silver Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, etc.) need 
separate justification detailing the act, achievement, or service 
believed to warrant the appropriate medal/ribbon.
    DD Forms 2168 are available from VA offices or from the US Air 
Force offices in this notice.
    For further information contact Mr. James D. Johnston, Secretary of 
the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC), 1535 Command Drive-3d Floor-EE 
Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762-7002.

Benefit Information

    A determination of ``active duty'' under Public Law 95-202 is ``for 
the purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs'' (Sec 106, 38 USC). Benefits are not retroactive and do not 
include such things as increased military or Federal Civil Service 
retirement pay, or a military burial detail, for example. Entitlement 
to state veterans benefits vary and are governed by each state. 
Therefore, for specific benefits information, contact your nearest 
Veterans Affairs Office and your state veterans service office after 
you have received your Armed Forces discharge documents.
Barbara A. Carmichael,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-17549 Filed 7-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3910-01-P