RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02420 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He is entitled to the AFEM due to his service in support of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of AF Form 626, Request and Authorization for Temporary Duty Travel of Military Personnel. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 21 Sep 56, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 4 Mar 13, DPSIDR notified the applicant that his 11 Nov 12 request to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) for award of the AFEM for Cuba could not be verified. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility, which is attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The AFEM is awarded to service members who, after 1 Jul 58, participated in a military operation and encountered foreign armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action by foreign armed forces, even though it did not materialize. 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 a designated area of eligibility or for 60 non- consecutive days provided the support involved entering the area of eligibility. The inclusive period for the Cuban Missile Crisis was from 24 Oct 62 to 1 Jun 63 and the area of eligibility for award of the AFEM included the water area between 12N and 28N latitudes and 66W and 84W longitudes. The applicant provided orders dated 15 Nov 62, sending him and other service members to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, which included a statement that the personnel will hand carry Geneva Convention Identification Card (DD Form 528). However, the applicant has not provided any paid travel vouchers or orders indicating the travel was completed. In addition, the coordinates for Eglin Air Force Base is 30N latitude and 86W longitude, which are outside the AOE for award of the AFEM. After reviewing the applicant's official military personnel records, DPSID was unable to verify he served in direct support of the Cuban Missile Crisis to the AOE during the inclusive period for the award. The applicant’s entitlement to the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star (VSM w/1 SSS), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P), was verified and his records will be administratively corrected to reflect these awards. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 31 Oct 13 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. ________________________________________________________________ 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 an 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 the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02420 in Executive Session on 6 Mar 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 May 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Sep 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Oct 13. Chair