RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-03400

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect he was authorized and awarded a campaign ribbon for his contribution to the Grenada Conflict.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was working at Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Headquarters Air Force Communications Command (HQ AFCC) when the first troops descended on the grounds of the Grenada airport.  

He worked in the Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) telecommunications office and was sitting at the telecom terminal when he received the first communication that the troops had touched down in Grenada.  He was actively involved in the success of the operation by providing vital information.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 30 December 1981.  

The applicant’s military personnel records indicate he served on active duty in the grade of senior airman (E-4) during the matter under review. 

On 10 June 1985, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge with a narrative reason for separation of “Volunteered to Serve with ANGUS”, issued a Reenlistment Code of “1J” (eligible to reenlist but elected to separate), and Separation Code of “M21”.  He was credited with 3 year, 5 months, and 11 days of total active service.  

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/DP3SP recommends denial.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, no official documentation could be located to verify he deployed to the area of responsibility in support of Operation URGENT FURY between 23 October 1983 and 21 November 1983 for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).  The applicant’s service at Scott Air Force Base does not meet the award criteria for the AFEM, as he did not have boots on ground in the area of eligibility.   

The AFEM may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States (U.S) who after 1 July 1958 participate or have participated as members of US military units in a US military operation in which service members participate in significant numbers and encounter during such participation foreign armed opposition, or are otherwise placed, or have been placed, in such position that, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hostile action by foreign armed forces was imminent even though it did not materialize.  Such service members must be members of a unit engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the area of operations or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided the support involved entering the area of eligibility.  

The AFEM is awarded for service in Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY from 23 October 1983 to 21 November 1983.  The area of eligibility consists of the islands of the nation of Grenada, including Grenada, Carriacou, Green, Hog, Calivigny, and other outlying islands and territorial seas of Grenada, waters adjacent to Grenada in which Atlantic fleet ships operated in direct support of operations in Grenada, the airspace above Grenada and the adjacent sea areas where the operations were conducted, and the Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados.  Per Air Force Military Personnel Center memorandum, dated April 1984, concerning Operation URGENT FURY, members must have engaged in direct support of the operation for six consecutive or 12 non-consecutive days; or participate as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area in support of military operations.  Direct support is defined as providing services to the forces concerned, providing it entails entering the area of eligibility.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 19 February 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD:

Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a careful review of the applicant's contentions, documentation submitted in support of the request, and the available evidence of record, we are not convinced the applicant has provided sufficient evidence for us to conclude that he is the victim of an error or injustice.  We also note the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-2603.  While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years prior to receipt of the application, we believe a reasonable date of discovery was more than three years prior to receipt of the application.  Therefore, because we do not find it would be in the interest of justice to recommend granting relief, and the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file the application.  Accordingly, we find the application untimely.  

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness.  It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03400 in Executive Session on 3 May 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 August 2015, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 5 February 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 19 February 2016.