RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00311
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Air Medal (AM), Bronze Star Medal (BSM), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for the Dominican Republic.

Examiner’s Note:  The applicant also requested award of the Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM w/1OLC), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals (AFEM) for Korea, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon (AFLSR), and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).  AFPC/DPPPR verified the applicant’s entitlement to these awards and the corrections were made to the applicant’s record.  On 25 August 2004, a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214 - Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) was issued to the applicant.  The Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education (NCO PME) Graduation Ribbon was omitted from the DD Form 215; however, a corrected copy with the NCO PME Graduation Ribbon will be added and issued to the applicant according to HQ AFPC/DPPRSP.  Therefore, the only issues before the Board are award of the AM, BSM and the AFEM for the Dominican Republic.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was awarded the requested medals but the medals were never annotated on 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 15 September 1965 in the grade of airman basic for a period of four years and was honorably discharged on 14 July 1969 in the grade of staff sergeant.  On 15 July 1969 he reenlisted for a period of four years.

On 12 August 1975, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of staff sergeant under the provisions of AFM 39-10 - Convenience of the Government.  He served 9 years, 10 months, and 28 days of total active service.

The applicant’s DD Form 214 indicates he received the following decorations and awards:  National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star, Air Force Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM), and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial.  They indicated they have verified the applicant’s claim of the AFCM w/1OLC, AFEM - Korea, AFLSR, NCO PME Ribbon, and the SAEMR.  They forwarded the records to the Retirement and Separations Section for correction.  No further action is required in reference to those awards.

On 3 March 2004 and 9 April 2004, SAF/MRBR asked the applicant to provide additional documentation to substantiate his claim of the AM and BSM.  Some additional documentation was provided by the applicant, however, none of it was a recommendation for decoration by someone within his chain of command or who had first-hand knowledge of his actions; nor was a decoration order provided to authenticate the decorations in question.

Upon review of the official military records and the documentation the applicant provided, they are unable to verify his entitlement to the AFEM - Dominican Republic.  The applicant did not provide any documentation to verify he was in the area of responsibility to receive the AFEM for this operation.  They also cannot substantiate an official decoration recommendation had been submitted on the applicant for the AM or BSM.

The evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 3 September 2004, 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 injustice.  The applicant contends he was awarded the requested medals but the medals were never annotated on 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.  With regard to the AM and BSM, on 3 March and 9 April 2004, SAF/MRBR advised the applicant to provide documentation to substantiate his claim for the AM and BSM.  He provided additional documentation; however, none of it was a recommendation for decoration by someone within his chain of command or who had first-hand knowledge of his actions; nor was a decoration order provided to authenticate the decorations in questions.  Furthermore, the applicant was advised of the decoration recommendation procedures and the criteria for award of the AM and BSM.  The Board finds no supporting documentation in the applicant’s record to indicate he was recommended for either of these awards.  With respect to the AFEM for the Dominican Republic, the applicant presents insufficient evidence that he was assigned in the area of responsibility which would make him eligible for this decoration.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2004-00311 in Executive Session on 21 October 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 16 June 2003, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 18 August 2004, w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 September 2004.

				Panel Chair