RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00838 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect he received the following awards and ribbons:

1.	United Nations Medal (UNM) – Kosovo.
2.	Air and Space Campaign Medal (ASCM).
3.	Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) (Previously Annotated).
4.	Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) (Administratively Resolved).
5.	The Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFLSA w/4BOLC) (Administratively Resolved).

6.	Kosovo	Campaign	Medal	with	one	Bronze	Service	Star	(KCM w/1BSS) (Administratively Resolved).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He received the MSM in the mail after his retirement. He received the KCM in 2001 and should also be eligible for the UNM Kosovo. He was in the Air Force for 20 years and is entitled to the AFLSA. He flew 20 sorties in direct support of Operation ALLIED FORCES for award of the ASCM and 29 sorties in direct support of Operation PROVIDE COMFORT for award of the AFSM.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 25 Jul 83, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.
On 31 Jul 03, the applicant was relieved from active duty and retired, effective 1 Aug 03, and was credited with 20 years and
6 days of active service.

The applicant’s DD Form 214, dated 31 Jul 03, reflects award of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). Therefore, no action by this Board is required.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the UNM Kosovo and the ASCM, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.

The UNM is authorized by the Secretary General of the UN for specific UN missions and actions. The UNM is authorized for UN Interim Administration in Kosovo from 10 Jun 99 to a date to be determined. Per 22nd Air Fueling Squadron memorandum dated 16 Apr 01 and subsequent Service Medal Award Verification (AF Form 104) awarding the KCM to the applicant for his service with the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron from 21 Apr 99 to 8 Jun 99 for participation and direct support of Operation ALLIED FORCE and Operation NOBLE ANVIL. The memorandum states “members assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Squadron, Mountain Home AFB Idaho participated as regularly assigned aircrew flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the AOE in direct support of the military operations. All members meet the criteria for award of the KCM. The applicant was out of the area of eligibility (AOE) two days prior to the authorized start date rendering him ineligible for award of the UNM Kosovo.

The Secretary of the Air Force approved the ASCM on 24 Apr 02 to recognize personnel who are not eligible for the KCM or other Operation ALLIED FORCE Department of Defense Campaign Medals. The ASCM may be awarded to members of the United States Air Force who, after 24 Mar 99, supported a significant United States military operation designated by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force as qualifying of the ASCM. No member shall be eligible for both an ASCM and a Department of Defense Campaign/Service medal awarded during a single tour in an ASCM designated operation. The applicant was awarded the Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) for his direct  support  in  Operation ALLIED FORCES; therefore, the applicant is ineligible to also receive award of the ASCM.

The AFSM recognizes members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 1 Jun 92, participate, or have participated, as members of United States military units, in a United States military operation that is deemed to be a significant activity by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action.

The applicant's DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, was erroneously annotated with award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) with three Bronze Service Stars. Service members who earned the SWASM and subsequently became eligible for the AFSM awarded for Operation PROVIDE COMFORT may elect to receive the AFSM instead of the SWASM. However, no service member may be issued or wear both the SWASM and the AFSM for service in the Southwest  Asia  Theater  of  Operations  during  the  period
1 Aug 92 through 31 Dec 96.
Service members eligible for the SWASM based on participation in Operation PROVIDE COMFORT will be authorized only one service star. Therefore, noting the apparent error, the applicant's DD Form 214 will be corrected to actually reflect the appropriate number of Bronze Service Stars for the SWASM based on his service in the area of eligibility.

Based on review of the applicant’s official military record, DPSID determined that he should have been awarded the following Medals/Ribbons: MSM, AFLSA w/4BOLC, and KCM w/1BSS. Upon final board decision, the applicant’s record will be administratively corrected.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air  Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 31 Aug 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.
3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s entitlement to the United Nations Medal-Kosovo and the Air and Space Campaign Medal (ASCM). 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 the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Air Force Longevity Service
1.	

Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFLSA w/4BOLC), and the Kosovo Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star (KCM w/1BSS), and will correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that already granted administratively.

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-2015-00838 in Executive Session on 5 Nov 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 26 Feb 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 10 Aug 15. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Aug 15.