RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01136
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be corrected to reflect award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and credit for time served in Cuba [Cuban Missile Crisis (24 Oct 62 – 1 Jun 63)].

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The AFEM and time credit for Cuba were left off his DD Forms 214 and that he was stationed at Homestead AFB FL from 1958 thru 1967.

In support of his appeal, applicant submitted copies of DD Forms 214 for the periods ending on 23 Mar 58, 23 Mar 64, 23 Mar 68, 23 Mar 72 and 31 Dec 74.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant’s master personnel records reflect that he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 4 Oct 54.  He had continuous military service until his retirement, effective 31 Dec 74.  He was promoted to the grade of technical sergeant (TSgt/E-6), with an effective date and date of rank (DOR) of 1 Feb 69.

Applicant’s records reflect that he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with one bronze service star), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award (with three bronze oak leaf clusters), and Air Force Good Conduct Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters).

At the time of his retirement effective 31 Dec 74, he was credited with 20 years, 2 months and 27 days of total active service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application and recommended denial.  The facts of the case reflect that the applicant served on active duty during the period of 4 Oct 54 – 31 Dec 74, with three overseas tours: Korea, 7 Jul 56 – 2 Jul 57; Goose Bay (Canada), 27 Jul 66 – 20 Oct 67; and Vietnam, 18 Jan 70 – 18 Jan 71.  He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal upon retirement.  This decoration has been added to his 31 Dec 74 DD Form 214.

Eligibility for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal could not be verified since there was no documentation available showing applicant was deployed to Cuba during the missile crisis for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.

On 2 May 02, applicant was asked to provide additional information to substantiate his claim, but 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 19 Jul 02 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

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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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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 AFBCMR Docket Number 02-01136 in Executive Session on 9 Oct 02, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 28 Mar 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 27 Jun 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Jul 02, w/atchs.