ADDENDUM TO RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00526

xxxxxxxxxxxx	COUNSEL:  NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED:  NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

The Board reconsider his request to correct his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to reflect award of the:

a. Southwest Asia Service  Medal
b. Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait

RESUME OF THE CASE

The applicant is a former Air Force staff sergeant (E-5).  On 4 May 2017, the Board considered and denied his request for award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait, finding that the applicant had provided insufficient evidence of an error or injustice and was not timely submitted.

For an accounting of the applicant’s original request and the rationale of the earlier decision, see the Record of Proceedings at Exhibit F.

On 30 August 2019, the applicant requested reconsideration of his request to correct his DD Form 214 to reflect award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait.  He again contends he supported Base deployment personnel in a “turn-key” facility in England, from January 1991 through July 1991, which was in support of Operation DESERT STORM.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit G.

On 17 September 2019, AFCP/DP3AM (Assignment Policy) informed the applicant they were able to verify his service in support of Operation DESERT STORM; however, they were unable to determine the exact location or the inclusive dates of this Foreign Service.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application as there is insufficient evidence the applicant entered the area of eligibility for award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait.   

The Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait was authorized by the government of Kuwait to members of the U.S. military who participated in Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, and the liberation of Kuwait.  On 16 March 1995, the Secretary of Defense authorized the acceptance and wear of the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait by members of the Armed Forces of the United States.  U.S. military personnel must have served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993, in the following areas: The Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees North latitude and west of 68 degrees East longitude; the Gulf of Aden; or, the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM in one or more of the following areas from 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995: The Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman, the Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 100 N. latitude and west 680 E. longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. To be eligible, a Service member must be attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore (military) operations; attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated above; or serving on temporary duty or 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. These time limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit I.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 2 June 2020 for comment (Exhibit J), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board remains unconvinced the evidence presented demonstrates an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

CERTIFICATION

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-00526 in Executive Session on 25 June 2020:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit F:	Record of Proceedings, w/ Exhibits A-E, dated 5 October 2017.
Exhibit G:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 30 August 2019.
Exhibit H:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit I:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 2 June 2020. 
Exhibit J:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 2 June 2020.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.