RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05477 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States be corrected to reflect the following: 1. Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM). 2. Korean War Service Medal (KWSM). 3. Combat Readiness Medal (CRM). 4. United Nations Medal. 5. Air Force Security Forces Badge. 6. Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: All Air Police assigned to his unit in Korea during the time period of 1952-1953 are deserving of the awards noted above. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, and various other documents associated with his request. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 15 Sep 50, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. He served three years of total active duty service. He is credited with 11 months and 11 days of Foreign Service. The AFGCM is awarded to personnel in an enlisted status for “exemplary conduct” (exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity), while in active military service. It is awarded for completion of three years continuous active military service or awarded upon the completion of one year continuous active military service while the U.S. is at war. Commanders may deny the award in those cases where an individual’s conduct has been less than exemplary. Prior to 1 Jun 63, the Air Force issued the Good Conduct Medal (GCM). Effective 1 Jun 63, the Air Force began awarding the AFGCM. The KWSM is awarded to service members who have served in the country of Korea, its territorial waters, or airspace during the period of 25 Jun 50 to 27 Jul 53. Service must have been performed while on permanent assignment in Korea, or while on temporary duty (TDY) for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or served as a crewmember of an aircraft in aerial flight over Korea participating in actual combat operations or in support of combat operations. The CRM is an individual award for periods of qualifying service in combat or mission ready status for direct weapons system employment. For purposes of this award, direct weapons system employment is defined as an aircrew whose wartime mission places them into enemy territory. The applicant was not assigned as a member of an aircrew, in missile operations or in direct control of in-flight manned aircraft. He is ineligible for the award of the CRM. The United Nations Medal was authorized by the Secretary General of the United Nations for specific United Nations missions and actions. Executive Order 11139 authorizes the Secretary of Defense to approve acceptance and wear by United States Service members who meet criteria specified by the Secretary General of the United Nations and who are or have been in United Nations service with one of the following: United Nation Observation Group in Lebanon; United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine; United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan; United Nations Security Forces, Hollandia; United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia; United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia; United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia; United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara or United Nations Operations in Somalia, to include United States Quick Reaction Force members; United Nations Iraq/Kuwait Observation Group; and United Nations Mission in Haiti. The AFAM was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 12 Oct 80 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States and foreign military personnel, below the rank of Colonel, after 30 Sep 81, who while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish themselves by meritorious service or achievement. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force, which are at Exhibits B and C. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the AFGCM, CRM, United Nations Medal, and the AFAM. DPSID states that the AFGCM was not authorized until 1963; however, based on the applicant’s dates of service, he is eligible for award of the GCM. DPSID states the applicant’s dates of service renders him ineligible for award of the AFAM. In addition, DPSID states that there is no official documentation in the applicant’s record to verify he served in a combat ready position for 24 months and was awarded or recommended for the Combat Readiness Medal. Further, DPSID states there is no documentation in the applicant’s record verifying he was in the United Nations service in any operations listed for award of the medal. According to DPSID, the applicant should have been awarded the GCM and KWSM during his service from 15 Sep 50 to 14 Sep 53. DPSID states they will administratively correct the applicant’s records to reflect the GCM; however, the KWSM will not be reflected on his DD Form 214. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit B. AFPC/DPSIM recommends approval of the applicant’s request for award of the Air Force Security Forces Badge. DPSIM states that a review of the applicant’s records reflects he should have been awarded the Badge. The complete DPSIM evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 5 Aug 13, for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). _________________________________________________________________ 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 regarding the applicants request for award of the AFGCM, CRM, United Nations Medal, and the AFAM. Therefore, 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 that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 4. Nothwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant partial relief. Having carefully reviewed this application, we agree with the recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility to award the Air Force Security Forces Badge. While we note the applicant’s records will be administratively corrected to reflect award of the KWSM and the GCM; since the KWSM is a foreign award, it will not be reflected on the applicant’s DD Form 214. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States, issued in conjunction with his 14 Sep 53, discharge from active duty, be amended to include the Air Force Security Forces Badge. _________________________________________________________________ ? The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2012-05477 in Executive Session on 26 Sep 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the record as indicated. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Nov 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 21 May 13. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Jul 13, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Aug 13. Panel Chair