RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00483
		INDEX NUMBER:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Kuwait (KLM-M), the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA), and the National Defense Service Medal.

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should be eligible for the KLM-M and KLM-SA medals for his active duty service during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

___________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant, a former Air Force Reservist, was activated in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm from 21 Sep 90 – 15 May 91.  On 16 May 91, he was honorably discharged, under the provisions of AFR 35-4 (Disability Existed Prior To Service, No Severence Pay), in the grade of E-6, after serving 7 months and   25 days on active duty.

His DD Form 214 reflects he was awarded the Air Force (AF) Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon, with one device, AF Training Ribbon, Air Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, with two devices, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (covers all periods of service).

On 8 Mar 04, AFPC verified applicant’s entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal and forwarded the medal to him.

___________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that the applicant did not provide documentation to support his claim that he was deployed in the Persian Gulf in direct support of Operation Desert Storm/Shield.  To be awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait, personnel must have served in the theater of operation between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993.  To be awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia, personnel must have served in the theater of operation between 17 January 1991 and 28 February 1991.

On 8 Mar 04, AFPC/DPPPRA requested the applicant provide documentation, i.e., Travel Voucher or TDY orders, showing that he served in the Persian Gulf; he did not respond.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 28 May 04, 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 (Exhibit D).

___________________________________________________________________

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.

___________________________________________________________________

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.

___________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC‑2004-00483 in Executive Session on 8 July 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Feb 04, w/atch
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 17 May 04
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 May 04

                                   Panel Chair