RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-02588
		INDEX NUMBER:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The reasons the applicant believes the records to be in error or unjust and the evidence submitted in support of the appeal are at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s master military personnel records contain an AF Form 104 (Service Medal Award Verification), dated 13 June 91, reflecting award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal.  The form lists the Operation Unit as Operation Desert Shield/Storm and the inclusive periods for award is blank.  Documentation could not be verified by HQ AFPC/DPPPR due to missing periods of service.

Other 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 at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application and recommended denial.  They indicate that statements in the applicant’s Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) do not reflect that he was deployed to the Persian Gulf, that he flew sorties over the area of responsibility (AOR) in the Persian Gulf, or that he was in the Persian Gulf for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in direct support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.  They did not find any indication in his records that he was actually in the Persian Gulf or its airspace in direct support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM, and when asked to provide official documentation showing that he was deployed in direct support of the Persian Gulf, he did not respond.

A complete copy of the evaluation 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 21 December 2001 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit E).

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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 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 probable error or injustice warranting award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWA).  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and that provided by the applicant, we took notice that the applicant’s enlisted performance report does not state that he was deployed to or that he flew over the Area of Responsibility (AOR) in the Persian Gulf and that the office of primary responsibility indicated that the applicant’s records did not contain documentation in which they could verify his eligibility for the medal.  Nevertheless, the Board finds, while the form is not conclusive as to the periods of service, it does appear that the applicant was awarded the SWA medal based on an AF Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, found in the field personnel record group (FPRG).  Therefore, we are convinced the AF Form 104, dated 13 June 1991, reflecting award of the SWA medal at that time, in our opinion, substantiates that responsible officials determined that the applicant had met the requirements for award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal.  Therefore, based on the evidence of record, we believe it is reasonable to assume that the applicant did perform service in direct support of Operation DESERT SHELD/STORM and that he met the requirements for award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal.  In view of the above, and the applicant’s dedicated service to this great Nation, we believe it is in the interest of justice to confirm the award to the applicant of the SWA medal.  Accordingly, we recommend that the applicant’s 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 on 27 May 1991, he was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal while performing duty in direct support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM.

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The following members of the Board considered this application AFBCMR Docket Number 01-02588 in Executive Session on 26 March 2002, 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 6 Sep 01, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 13 Dec 01, w/atchs.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Dec 01, w/atchs.

                                   

AFBCMR 01-02588

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 APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Southwest Asia Medal while performing duty in direct support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM.