RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00274
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214) reflect award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

On 15 November 1996 he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for his service in Taiwan during March 1958 through June 1959.  He was assigned to ATF-13 Compound and was paid in War Zone (Quemoy and Matsue); however, he has no official documentation to show for it nor was it ever included in section #26 of his DD Form 214.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214, and other documentation.

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 2 November 1956 in the grade of airman basic for a period of four years.

On 28 April 1960 the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of airman second class (A2C), under the provisions of AFR 39-16 (Unsuitability).  He served 3 years, 5 months, and 27 days of total active military service.

According to the applicant’s DD Form 214 he was awarded the following medal:  Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGMC).

The AFEM is awarded to Service members of the 7th Fleet, Air Force Composite Air Strike Force, and Marine MAG-11 for deployment to the Quemoy and Matsu Islands during the period 23 August 1958 through 1 June 1963 and to the Taiwan Straits during the periods 23 August 1958 through 1 January 1959.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial.  They indicated that on 3 March 2003, they informed the applicant that the AFEM was sent to him in error, without being verified by their office.  He was provided documentation showing the criteria for award of the medal for deployment to the Quemoy and Matsu Islands and Taiwan Straits, and that he did not meet the criteria.  He was asked to withdraw his application, since he is not eligible, but he did not respond.  The applicant’s records show that he was informed in 1990 that he was not eligible for the National Defense Service Medal; in 1996 he requested issuance of the AFEM and the National Personnel Records Center had it sent to him in error, but again informed him he was not eligible for the National Defense Service Medal; and in 1998 he was informed he was not eligible for a unit citation or commendation medal.  His records have been thoroughly reviewed, and the only medal to which he is entitled is the Good Conduct Medal.  He has not provided any documentation showing that he was deployed to the Quemoy or Matsu Islands or to the Taiwan Straits in support of the operations to prevent a Communist invasion of the Republic of China.  Therefore, they cannot verify his eligibility for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

The evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 3 June 2003, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  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 an error or an injustice.  The applicant contends that on 15 November 1996 he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for service in Taiwan during March 1958 through June 1959.  He was assigned to the ATF-13 Compound and was paid in War Zone (Quemoy and Matsue); however, he has no official documentation to show for it nor was it ever included in section #26 of his DD Form 214.  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 and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  It is noted that the AFEM was awarded to service members of the 7th Fleet, Air Force Composite Air Strike Force, and Marine MAG-11 for deployment to the Quemoy and Matsu Islands during the period 23 August 1958 through 1 June 1963 and to the Taiwan Straits during the period 23 August 1958 through 1 January 1959.  The applicant was informed by AFPC that he was not eligible for award of the AFEM and was provided the criteria for the award.  Unfortunately, in 1996, he requested issuance of the AFEM through the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC) and based on his letter requesting the medal as a replacement, NPRC apparently sent it to him in error.  However, the applicant has not provided persuasive documentation showing that he was deployed to Quemoy or Matsu Islands or to the Taiwan Straits in support of the operations to prevent a Communist invasion of the Republic of China and is entitled to the award.  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 an error or an 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-00274 in Executive Session on 10 July 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			Panel Chair
			Member
			Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 23 January 2003, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 30 May 2003, w/atchs.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 June 2003.

				
				Panel Chair