RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04763

  						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  YES 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Grenada operations.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He volunteered to go to Grenada and was denied, but he did serve on active duty during Grenada operations.  He would like this service credit added to his upcoming New York state retirement.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 18 Oct 78.

On 17 Mar 84, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with five years and five months of active service.  

On 3 Jul 13, according to documents provided by the applicant, he was notified by the Office of the New York State Comptroller that in order to be eligible to purchase credit under Article 20 of the Retirement and Social Security Law, at least some of his military service must have been performed during the Lebanon, Grenada, or Panama conflicts and received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  

The Armed Force Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, after 1 Jul 58, participated in United States Military operations in direct support of the United Nations or in assistance to a friendly foreign nation.  The AFEM may be awarded to members who, after 1 Jul 58, participated in operations where hostile action was imminent, as determined by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that participated in or engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the designated area of eligibility or 60 non-consecutive days.  

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded for service in Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY from 23 Oct 83 to 21 Nov 83.  Per Air Force Military Personne1 Center memo dated April 1984 concerning Operation URGENT FURY, members must have been engage 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.

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 indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  After a thorough review of the applicant provided documentation, AFPC/DP3SP was unable to verify the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or that the applicant deployed to Grenada in direct support of Operation URGENT FURY.  

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 11 Aug 16 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-2015-04763 in Executive Session on 28 Mar 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 Nov 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 25 Jul 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 11 Aug 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.