[Federal Register: October 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 203)] [Notices] [Page 56773-56774] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21oc99-44] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual Groups On September 30, 1999, the Secretary of the Air Force, acting as Executive Agent of the Secretary of Defense, determined that the service of the group known as the ``Chamorros, including the 'Chamorro Marine Scouts,' who assisted the U.S. Marines in the offensive operations against the Japanese on the Saipan, Pagan, and Maug Islands, of the Northern Mariana Islands, from June 19, 1944 through September 2, 1945'' shall not be considered ``active duty'' for purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). On the other hand, the service of a group described as ``three scouts/guides, Miguel Tenorio, Penedicto Taisacan, and Cristino Dela Cruz, who assisted the U.S. Marines in the offensive operations against the Japanese on the Northern Mariana Islands from June 19, 1944 through September 2, 1945'' and the service of a group described as ``the approximately 50 Chamorro and Carolinian former, native policemen who received military training in the Donnal area of central Saipan and were placed under the command of Lt. Casino of the 6th Provisional Military Police Battalion to accompany United States Marines on active, combat-patrol activity from August 19, 1945 to September 2, 1945'' shall be considered ``active duty'' under the provisions of Public Law 95-202 for the purposes of all laws administered by the VA. Application Procedures The Group of ``Three Scouts/Guides'' To be eligible for VA benefits, an individual who believes he is among the first group, that is among the ``three scouts/guides,'' must establish he is Miguel Tenorio, Penedicto Taisacan, or Cristino Dela Cruz. Qualifying periods of service for each of the three scouts/guides (Miguel Tenorio, Penedicto Taisacan, and Cristino Dela Cruz) are those days he assisted the U.S. Marines in the offensive operations against the Japanese on the Northern Mariana Islands between June 19, 1944 and September 2, 1945. Before an individual can receive any VA benefits, the person must first apply for an Armed Forces Discharge Certificate (Department of Defense Form 214) by filling out a Department of Defense (DD) Form 2168, Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of Group Certified to Have Performed Active Duty With the Armed Forces of the United States, and sending it to the Navy Personnel Center at the following address: Navy Personnel Center, (PERS-312), Millington, TN 38054-5045. Important: Applicants must attach supporting documents to their DD Form 2168 application. Of importance will be any records from the World War II period indicating participation in the scout/guide. Additionally, supporting documents might include affidavits from individuals with firsthand knowledge of the nature and periods of service of the applicant. Upon confirmation of an applicant's eligibility, the applicant will be considered for the appropriate ribbons the applicant is eligible to receive (campaign ribbons, theater ribbons, victory medal, etc.). Specific awards (i.e., Silver Star, Purple Heart, 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 U.S. Navy office mentioned in this notice. An electronic version is also available in Adobe Acrobat (the reader is free) on the Internet at ``DefenseLINK, publications.'' For further information contact Mr. James D. Johnston at the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC), 1535 Command Drive, EE Wing, 3rd Floor, Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002. Application Procedures The Group of ``the Approximately 50 Chamorro and Carolinian Former, Native Policemen, Who Received Military Training'' To be eligible for VA benefits, an individual who believes he is among the second recognized group, that is among the ``approximately 50 Chamorro and Carolinian former, native policemen,'' must establish: a. He was a former, native policeman who received military training in the Donnal area of central Saipan, and b. He was placed under the command of Lt. Casino of the 6th Provisional Military Police from August 19, 1945 to September 2, 1945. Qualifying periods of time for those who were under the command of Lt. Casino of the 6th Provisional Military Police are the days they were so assigned. Before an individual can receive any VA benefits, the person must first apply for an Armed Forces Discharge Certificate (Department of Defense Form 214) by filling out a Department of Defense (DD) Form 2168 and sending it to the Navy Personnel Center at the following address: Navy Personnel Center, (PERS-312), Millington, TN 38054-5045. Important: Applicants must attach supporting documents to their DD Form 2168 application. Of importance will be any records from the World War II period indicating participation in the 6th Provisional Military Police Battalion. Additionally, supporting documents might include affidavits from individuals with firsthand knowledge of the nature and periods of service of the applicant. Upon confirmation of an applicant's eligibility, the applicant will be considered for the appropriate ribbons the applicant is eligible to receive (campaign ribbons, theater ribbons, victory medal, etc.). Specific awards (i.e., Silver Star, Purple Heart, 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 U.S. Navy office mentioned in this notice. An electronic version is also available in Adobe Acrobat (the reader is free) on the Internet at ``DefenseLINK, publications.'' For further information contact Mr. James D. Johnston at the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC), 1535 Command Drive, EE Wing, 3rd Floor, Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002. [[Page 56774]] 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'' (38 U.S.C. 106). 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. Janet A. Long, Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 99-27548 Filed 10-20-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-05-U