RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:	BC-2008-01891 INDEX CODE:	113.00
COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His	records	be	corrected	to	reflect	the	award	of	the	Armed	
Forces Expeditionary Medal	(AFEM).					

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Other military personnel were awarded the AFEM for the same time period that he was in Chai, Formosa.

In support of his application, the applicant provides a letter from AFPC/DPSIDR.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Air Force on 15 November 1956 and was progressively promoted to the grade of senior master sergeant. He was honorably retired on 29 February 1976 after completing 26 years, 11 months and 6 days of total service.

On 26 February 2007, the applicant's records were corrected to reflect the award of the Korean Defense Service Medal for service in Korea from 29 September 1957 to 11 September 1958.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial and states no official documentation was located in the applicant's official military record, or provided by the applicant that would confirm he participated in a creditable military operation for the award of the AFEM.

AFPC/DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and stated that he was never in Chia-YI, Taiwan in 1959; however, he was there during 1958. He also contends that he was investigated by the Taiwan Veterans Badge of Honor Association for acceptance into their organization and was awarded the Badge of Honor by the Republic of Chinese Culture Affairs office in 2000. Lastly, he finds the Air Force ability to maintain records very inadequate.

Applicant's complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E.

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 evidence of record and applicant's submission, we do not find that his uncorroborated assertions, in and by themselves, are sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force. In this respect, we note that the applicant was unable to provide the necessary evidence to verify his eligibility for award of the AFEM. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of having suffered either an error or injustice. Consequently,  in the absence of persuasive 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- 2008-01891 in Executive Session on 17 July 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair 
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-01891:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 14 May 08, w/atch. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 9 Jun 08. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 Jun 08.
Exhibit E.	Letter, Applicant’s response, date 24 Jun 08, w/atchs.