RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01863
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Cuban Missile Crisis Medal, Berlin Crisis Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation, and his separation document (DD 214) be corrected to show receipt of these awards.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was stationed at Bitburgh Air Base, Germany, for three (3) years in the Eifel Region and believes this qualifies him for receipt of these medals.  If he is qualified to receive these awards, he requests his DD 214 be corrected and he be issued a DD 215 showing the corrections.

In support of the application, the applicant submits his application, and a copy of his DD 214.  The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 9 February 1959, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force at the age of 19 in the grade of airman basic (E-1) for a period of four (4) years.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman second class (E-1) effective and with a date of rank of 1 October 1960.  

His service record appears to indicate that he served three (3) years as an aircraft airframe repairman in Bitburg, Germany.  On 21 September 1962 the applicant was released from active duty in the grade of airman second class (E-3).  The applicant was credited with 3 years, 7 months, and 13 days of active duty service.

His discharge documents reflect he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ USAF/DPPPR recommends denial.  DPPPR states the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is awarded for participation in designated operations in specified areas, e.g. Berlin and Cuba.  Therefore, a copy of the TDY order and travel voucher is needed to verify eligibility.  DPPPR notes the member’s personnel records were thoroughly reviewed and all units were researched.  DPPPR observes there is no documentation in the applicant’s record proving that any of his units received award of the Presidential Unit Citation.  DPPPR’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 30 August 2004, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response (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.  After a thorough review of the available evidence and the applicant’s complete submission, we are not persuaded that his records should be corrected to show he is entitled to the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or he was assigned to a unit that had been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.  Other than his own assertions, the applicant has provided no documentary evidence that would establish his entitlement to the above-cited awards.  We are not unmindful or unappreciative of his service to his Nation.  However, in the absence of documentary evidence that, in our view, successfully refutes the Air Force assessment of his case, we have no basis on which to favorably consider this application.

___________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of probable 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 this application in Executive Session on 4 December 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-01863:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 2 Jun 04, with attachment.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 3 Aug 04.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Aug 04.