RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05644 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Headquarters United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) personnel were awarded the BSM for service in the Gulf War (Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM). He was assigned to USCENTCOM during the period 23 Aug 90 to 17 Mar 91, and was not awarded the BSM. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of DD Form 1610, Request and Authorization for TDY Travel of DoD Personnel; AF Form 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administrative Orders and DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher or Subvoucher. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 1 Dec 78, the applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force. He served 21 years and 2 months of total active service. He is credited with three years, six months and three days of Foreign Service. The BSM is awarded to a person in any branch of the military service, who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States after 6 Dec 41, shall have distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. The award recognizes acts of heroism performed in ground combat if they are of lesser degree than that required for the Silver Star. It also recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious service if the achievement or service is of a lesser degree than that deemed worthy of the Legion of Merit (LOM); but such service must have been accomplished with distinction. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. There is no official documentation in the applicant’s record, nor was any provided, to verify he was recommended for award of the BSM. In order for the applicant’s request to be reasonably considered he will need to provide a recommendation made by someone with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement, a proposed citation, and eyewitness statements from those who saw the act/achievement. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. SAF/MRBP concurs with the recommendation of AFPC/DPSID due to the lack of verification the applicant was recommended for award of the BSM. The complete MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 18 Apr 14, for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (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 an error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force Offices of Primary Responsibility (OPRs) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2013-05644 in Executive Session on 28 Aug 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 1 Dec 13, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Available Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 23 Mar 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBP, dated 8 Apr 14. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Apr 14.