RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00305 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM). ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, and DESERT CALM from 2 Aug 90 to 13 Aug 92. His records should reflect the awards to which he is entitled. He will also be eligible for the Pennsylvania Gulf War bonus. In support of his request, applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. ___________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 24 Jul 78. He was progressively promoted to the grade of senior airman (E-4), having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 7 Jun 92. He received an honorable discharge on 13 Aug 92 after serving 14 years and 20 days on active duty. The SWASM criteria: This award, authorized by Executive Order 12754, 12 Mar 91, is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in support of Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm between 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95 in one or more of the following areas: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude, and the land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and waters) directly supporting combat operations between 17 Jan 91 and 30 Nov 95. ___________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states they are unable to verify that he served in an area of eligibility during the inclusive period for award of the SWASM. Also, the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) records do not show that he received Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay during 1990, 1991, and 1992, indicating he did not serve in the area of eligibility. The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He was stationed at Hahn Air Base (AB), Germany, from Jan 87 thru Jan 91. While assigned to Hahn AB, he served as a security specialist in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD. He respectfully requests award of the SWASM. The applicant’s complete submission 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. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, after a thorough review of the applicant’s submission and his military records, we found that there was no evidence provided that supported his contention that he served in the area of eligibility for award of the SWASM. Consequently, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its 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 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-00305 in Executive Session on 20 May 10, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Jan 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 15 Mar 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Apr 10. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 19 Apr 10.