RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBERS:  02-00342
		INDEX CODE 107.00
	 	COUNSEL:  None

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) and the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM).

[HQ AFPC/DPPPRA advised the applicant on 18 Mar 02 that his DD Form 214 already reflects receipt of the AFAM.]

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was not notified that he had received the HSM.  He provides, in part, an AF Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, signed by the Kelly AFB military personnel flight (MPF) on 9 Jan 01 and indicating he was entitled to the HSM for participation in the Central and South Texas Floods, San Antonio, TX, during the period 21 Oct-13 Nov 98. 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

During the period in question, the applicant was serving in the grade of major and was assigned to the Air Force Information Warfare Center at Kelly AFB, TX, as a division chief.  His performance report for the period 30 Jun 98 through 31 Mar 99 does not refer to any participation in the flood relief efforts. He retired on 1 Feb 00 with 29 years, 1 month and 28 days of active service. 

HQ AFPC/DPPPRA advised the applicant by letter dated 18 Mar 02 that his DD Form 214 already reflected receipt of the AFAM as the last decoration listed in the Remarks section.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant's military records (Exhibit B), are contained in the official documents provided in the applicant’s submission (Exhibit A) and in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force (Exhibit C). 
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR advises that as of spring 1999, Kelly, Lackland and Randolph AFBs had submitted their lists of personnel who had participated at the scene of the relief efforts in a direct, “hands-on” fashion. The applicant’s name was not on the lists. The applicant did not provide any official documentation showing that he participated in a direct, “hands-on” fashion during the San Antonio flood relief efforts. The AF Form 104 cannot be considered valid because it was signed after he retired and his records were no longer available for review to the individual who signed the form. There is no indication in the applicant’s records that he participated in the relief efforts. Denial is recommended. 

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 5 Apr 02 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response. 

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1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.

3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. Since the applicant’s DD From 214 already reflects receipt of the AFAM, the only issue remaining for this Board’s consideration pertains to the HSM. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission, we are not persuaded that he should receive this award. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, we do not find these uncorroborated assertions, in and by themselves, sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force. Other than an AF Form 104, which was signed after he retired, he submitted no evidence sustaining his claim that he met the criteria for the HSM. The records available to this Board do not include any mention of his participation in the flood relief efforts. Should the applicant provide some supporting statements or proof that he did, in fact, directly and actively contribute to the Central and South Texas flood relief efforts, we would be willing to again review his case for possible reconsideration. Unless or until he does so, we find no compelling basis to recommend approval and conclude that at this time the case should be denied.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 6 June 2002 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence relating to AFBCMR Docket Number 02-00342 was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Forms 149 (2), dated 30 Jan 02, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 Mar 02.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Apr 02.