RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00873
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  Not Indicated

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) be added to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served twice in the Persian Gulf area and did not realize it was omitted from his DD Form 214.  

In support of his request he provided a SWASM citation and a Letter of Appreciation.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 2 Jul 92.  He was administratively discharged from the Air Force on 15 Jun 98, under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, Chapter 5, for minor disciplinary infractions, with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge.  He had served 5 years, 11 months, and 14 days on active duty.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant’s military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force.  Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in this Record of Proceedings.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial.  DPPR states that the certificate awarding him the SWASM cannot be considered valid.  Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, and DESERT CALM took place during the period 2 Aug 90 through 30 Nov 95.  Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR is not a designated operation for which an award is given.  He was in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 21 Sep 94 through 17 Jan 95.  The Letter of Appreciation for his deployment to the UAE specifies Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.  Only the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is authorized for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.  The certificate awarding him the SWASM mentions three separate operations.  It would have been awarded if he had been deployed in direct support of Operation DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, or DESERT CALM.  However, if he were deployed for Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR, he would not be eligible for award of the SWASM.  Without a copy of his orders showing the purpose of the deployment, his eligibility cannot be verified.

A letter was sent to the applicant asking him to provide the necessary documents needed to determine his eligibility for award of the SWASM.  He did not respond.  The DPPPR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 19 Oct 01 for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice to warrant awarding the applicant the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM).  While the applicant was unable to provide a copy of his travel orders for the period in question, the evidence provided has led us to believe that he did participate in an operation that would authorize him award of the SWASM.  We note that the official period of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, and DESERT CALM was 2 Aug 90 through 30 Nov 95.  Documents provided indicate that he participated in Operation DESERT STORM, along with other operations during the period of 21 Sep 94 through 17 Jan 95.  We believe that because there have been numerous official and unofficial designations for the Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign, a certain amount of confusion was created by the numerous designations.  In our opinion, sufficient doubt has been created as to the operation in which he actually participated to warrant resolving this matter in his favor.  Accordingly, we recommend that his records be corrected as indicated below

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal for his service in the Persian Gulf from 21 September 1994 through 17 January 1995.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 27 Nov 01, 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 22 Mar 01, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 28 Sep 01, w/atch.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Oct 01.

                                  
                                  Panel Chair

AFBCMR 01-00873

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal for his service in the Persian Gulf from 21 September 1994 through 17 January 1995.

                                                                            
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency