RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-02809
		INDEX CODE:  113.01
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His high school graduation be added to his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer of Discharge.

2.  His Reserve time be added to his DD Form 214.

3.  He be awarded the Expeditionary Medal.  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His high school graduation and time spent in the Reserves were never added to his records.  He served during the Cuban Crisis and never received the Expeditionary Medal.

In support of his request, applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214, his Certificate of Equivalency of High School Graduation, his Reserve discharge order, a training order, temporary duty orders, an augmentation order, a Western Union Telegram, and a Presentation of Diploma letter.  His complete, submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.  

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant's military personnel records cannot be located at the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis MO.  Data extracted from his records reconstructed with documents provided by the applicant reflect that he was honorably discharged from the Regular Air Force on 4 Nov 64 after serving 9 years and 22 days on active duty.  He was subsequently discharged from the Air Force Reserve on 9 Dec 71.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant's request that he be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for having been on active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  DPPPR states that he provided a copy of an order deploying him from Barksdale AFB on 9 Mar 59 for 90 days to APO NT 677 for a SAC rotational movement but he did not provide documentation to show the location of the deployment or that he accomplished the deployment.  He provided a copy of an order referring to a previous TDY order that had deployed individuals to APO NY for Chrome Dome Operation on or about 8 May 62.  The order provided revoked his participation in the deployment.  The AFEM is awarded to individuals who were deployed to Cuba and were in Cuba for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days during the period 24 Oct 62 through 1 Jun 63.  He has not provided any documents showing he was deployed to Cuba during that period.  The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant states that during the Cuban Missile Crisis he was appointed to help load aircraft at Barksdale AFB during a base alert for an extended period of time.  He provided orders showing that he was deployed to Goose Bay Labrador AFB on 9 Mar 59 for a period of 90 days.  He was deployed to Torrejon AB, Spain.  The orders had been revoked but were replaced.  He previously provided the revocation order in error.  He was also deployed to Greenland for 11 months.  

In support of his request, applicant provided copies of documents previously submitted, an extract from his medical record, and a TDY order.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error that would warrant correction to his DD Form 214 to reflect his correct level of education.  Evidence provided by the applicant has led us to believe that prior to his discharge from the Air Force, he completed the General Educational Development requirements and was awarded the Equivalency of High School Graduation certificate.  Accordingly it is our opinion that his DD Form 214 should be amended as indicated below to reflect his appropriate level of education at the time.  

4.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice with respect to his request that his Reserve time be added to his DD Form 214 and that he be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his service during the Cuban Crisis.  After a review of the evidence of record, it appears that the applicant served in the Air Force Reserves subsequent to his discharge from active duty; thus, it is our opinion that it would be inappropriate to amend his DD Form 214 to reflect his Reserve service.  Regarding his request for award of the AFEM, persuasive evidence has not been provided which would lead us to believe that he was in Cuba for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days during the period of 24 Oct 62 through 1 Jun 63, as required for award of the AFEM.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility with regards to this matter and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that he has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting relief in regards to these matters.

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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 his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be amended in Item 10a, to reflect "High School" rather than "Grammar School-8."

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-02809 in Executive Session on 12 Feb 03, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Aug 02, w.atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 6 Jan 03.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jan 03.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 21 Jan 03, w/atchs.

					

AFBCMR 02-02809

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 his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be amended in Item 10a, to reflect "High School" rather than "Grammar School-8."