RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2005-00468
								INDEX CODE:  107.00, 110.00

								COUNSEL:  NONE

								HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  13 AUGUST 2006

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and the Good Conduct Medal (GCM).

Examiner’s Note:  On 11 Apr 05, AFPC administratively corrected applicant’s DD Form 214 to reflect the GCM.  Therefore, the only issue remaining to be resolved by the Board is applicant’s request for the AFEM.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is entitled to the AFEM and the GCM based on his participation in the Berlin/Cuban Missile Crisis.  

He would like his family to know he served honorably.

In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, and copies of his overseas assignment orders.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on active duty in the Air Force from 12 Jan 60 – 1 Oct 63.  His DD Form 214 reflects he served 1 year, 5 months, and 28 days of Foreign Service.  It reflects no decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations or campaign ribbons were awarded or authorized during this period of service.

On 1 Oct 63, he was honorably released from active duty, in the grade of E-4, and transferred to the Air Force Reserve.  He was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve effective 11 Jan 66.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that they were unable to find evidence in the member’s military record that during the period in question (1958-1961) he participated in the Berlin/Cuban Missile Crisis.  The applicant was in the Air Force during this time period and served in an overseas location, but there is no documentation in his record to substantiate that he participated in direct support of either operation.  They verified he was assigned to the Azores for the period 15 Jul 61 to 1 Mar 63. 

The AFEM is awarded to Air Force members who, after 1 July 1958, participated in a United States military operation and encountered foreign armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action by foreign Armed Forces.  The applicant’s unit of assignment was not a participant of the Berlin/Cuban Missile Crisis.

To be eligible for the AFEM, service members must be bona fide members of a unit engaged in the opposition or meet one of the following:  Be engaged for 30 consecutive days, or 60 nonconsecutive days and provided this support involves entering the area of operation; be engaged in actual combat or duty equally hazardous as combat duty; or participate as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, or within, or over the area in support of the military operations.

They verified his entitlement to the CGM for his 3 years, 8 months, and 20 days of honorable service.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 15 Apr 05, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

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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 error or injustice.  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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC‑2005-00468 in Executive Session on 18 May 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Feb 05, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 5 Apr 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Apr 05.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair