RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 02-03887
		INDEX CODE:  110.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the Armed Forces, be amended to reflect his service in operation URGENT FURY.  

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was in the Air Force for eight years and was part of Operation URGENT FURY and was told that he was going to receive a campaign badge for his service.  He feels he is deserving of this honor as his unit reconnaissance missions were crucial to the success of the Grenada Operation.  

In support of his appeal, applicant submits a personal statement and a copy of his DD Form 214.  Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 11 July 1977  with a reenlistment on 1 October 1981.  The applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of staff sergeant (E-5) under the provisions of AFR 39-10 (Completion of Required Service).  At the time of his discharge he was credited with 4 years and 2 months of active duty and 4 years, 2 months and 20 days of prior active service.  His awards included the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon; NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied. DPPPR states that the applicant’s record only contains one DD Form 214, showing he served on active duty during the period 1 October 1981 - 30 September 1985, with no foreign service.  The Air Force Expeditionary Medal is awarded to service members who were in Grenada during the Grenada Operation (URGENT FURY) for the period 23 October 1983 - 21 November 1983.  DPPPR further states that the applicant was informed that no “campaign badge was awarded for Operation Grenada, but the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded to individuals who were deployed to Grenada for the operation.  He was asked to provide the necessary documentation to show he was deployed to Grenada for the operation or to withdraw his application.  The applicant did not respond.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 28 March 2003, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was sent to the applicant for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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 an 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 Docket Number BC-2002-03887 in Executive Session on 11 June 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Dec 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 19 Mar 03, w/atch.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Mar 03.