RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00459 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be awarded the Army of Occupation Medal (AOM) of Germany. 2. He be awarded the AOM of Austria. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was never awarded the AOM. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation- Honorable Discharge. The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s official military personnel record only contains a Final Payment Worksheet. The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 reflects that he served on active duty in the Army Air Force from 14 Dec 42 through 7 Dec 45, and that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, American Theater of Operations Service Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Ribbon. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states that based on the applicant’s limited record, they can only confirm that he served in England from 6 Mar 44 to 24 Nov 45. There is no documentation verifying the applicant served in Germany for 30 or more consecutive days for award of the AOM with Germany Clasp or for award of the AOM with Austria Clasp. The AOM is awarded for military service of 30 or more consecutive days of duty in one of the occupied territories after World War II. Military service in the European-Africa- Middle Eastern Theater between 9 May 45 and 8 Nov 45, and in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between 3 Sep 45 and 2 Mar 46, shall only be considered if the service member received the applicable theater campaign medal for military service in the theater before the inclusive periods previously mentioned. The AOM Germany (Exclusive of Berlin) is awarded for military service between 9 May 45 and 5 May 55. Military service with a unit designated by the Department of the Army as “having met the requirements for, or the individual award of, the Berlin Airlift device” shall also qualify the service member for the AOM. Award of the AOM Germany authorizes a service member the AOM with Germany Clasp. The AOM Austria is awarded for military service between 9 May 45 and 27 Jul 55. Award of the AOM Austria authorizes a service member the AOM with Austria Clasp. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit B. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: His WD AGO 53-55, Item 32, Battles and Campaigns, reflects G033WD45, identifying battles and campaigns for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. In this computer age, you would think the Army Serial Number (ASN) shown on the discharge form could be traced from Camp Springs, MD to Austria. However, using the proximity of his group and squadron in the copyright publication of the 371st Fighter Group, where he is listed as a member, will show that he and his group would have been classified in the Army of Occupation for Germany and Austria. In further support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of Certificates of Appreciation for War Service, excerpts from various publications, the 405th Squadron Emblem, and a list of qualifying medals for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The applicant's complete response, with attachments, is at 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. While we note the additional documentation provided in response to the Air Force evaluation; we do not find it sufficient to support his contentions that he should be awarded the AOM for Germany or Austria. Moreover, as pointed-out by the OPR, the applicant has not provided any documentation showing he was assigned or on temporary duty in Germany or in Austria for 30 or more consecutive days. We are not unmindful or unappreciative of his service to his Nation; however, in the absence of persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend favorable consideration of his 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-2013-00459 in Executive Session on 29 Oct 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Jan 13, w/atch. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 Apr 13. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 13. Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 27 May 13, w/atchs. 1 2