RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01961
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His separation document (DD 214) be corrected to show he was awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), Global War on Terrorism Medal (GWOT), Air and Space Campaign Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal w/One Oak Leaf Cluster(MSM) (1OLC).

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The requested medals were approved after his release from active duty.  The MSM (1OLC) was mailed to his residence after his retirement.

In support of the application, the applicant submits his personal statement, a copy of his separation document (DD 214), a copy of his discharge certificate, copies of two (2) Air Force Achievement Medals with Special Orders G-5 & GA-216, a copy of the Air Force Commendation Medal (1OLC) with Special Order GS-07, a copy of the MSM with Special Order GS-001, copies of three (3) enlisted performance evaluations, and copies of excerpted news articles on the KDSM, ASCM, and GWOT medals.

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 7 August 1980 at the age of 17.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of Master Sergeant (E-7) and was retired on 1 November 2002.  He was credited with 22 years, 2 months and 24 days of active duty service.

The applicant’s separation document reveals he received the Kuwait Liberty Medal; Air Force Training Ribbon; NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon with One Bronze Leaf Cluster; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with Four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Overseas Tour Ribbon with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon; Humanitarian Service Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal with One Bronze Star; National Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Star; Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with Three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Achievement Medal with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; and the Air Force Commendation Medal with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.  

On 30 July 2004, the applicant’s records were corrected to include the Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster; the Air and Space Campaign Medal; and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends disapproval of the GWOT medal.  DPPPR states for an individual to be entitled to the GWOT, they must have been deployed abroad, on or after 11 September 2001, for service in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (EOF) or Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF).  DPPPR notes there is no documentation in the applicant’s military record, nor did he provide any supporting documentation proving he was deployed in support of EOF or OIF.

DPPPR verified the applicant’s entitlement to the MSM (1 OLC), the ASCM, and the KDSM.  DPPPR has corrected the applicant’s records to reflect the receipt of these awards, and issued him an updated separation document.

DPPPR’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force Evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment on 6 August 2004.  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 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.  Other than his own assertions, the applicant has provided no documentary evidence that would establish his entitlement to the above-cited award.  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 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 19 January 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-2004-01961:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Jun 04 w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 Jul 04.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Aug 04.