RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04997 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in the theater of operations for award of the SWASM in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM. The correction is required in order to obtain care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In support of his request, the applicant provides a certificate of appreciation for outstanding achievement in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE while deployed to Cairo, Egypt for the period of 8 December 1992 to 21 January 1993. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 25 January 1991, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force and was honorably released from active duty on 24 July 1995. In a memorandum dated 21 September 2015, AFPC/DPSOR informed the applicant his records were administratively corrected to award the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM) effective 24 July 1995. He was provided a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID was unable to locate official documentation to verify the applicant was in the area of responsibility in direct support of Operations DESERT STORM, DESERT SHIELD or PROVIDE COMFORT in order to qualify for the SWASM. According to his official military record and the unit issued certificate he provided, his service in Egypt was in direct support of Operation RESTORE HOPE which is not a qualifying operation for award of the SWASM. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is the award authorized for Operation RESTORE HOPE; however, Egypt is not considered in the area of eligibility for award of the AFEM although the applicant’s deployment was in direct support of the operation. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DODM 1348.33, Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff. The SWASM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, or DESERT STORM, between the period of 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995, in or more of the following areas: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude, and the land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and water) directly supporting combat operations between 17 January 1991 and 30 November 1995. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) verified the applicant received imminent danger/hazard pay from 8 December 1992 to 21 January 1993; however, no country was listed. The applicant's Enlisted Performance Report covering 25 September 1992 through 18 May 1993, states he deployed in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE which coincides with the foreign service dates verified by the DFAS. The applicant should have been awarded the KDSM during his service from 25 January 1991 to 24 July 1995. His records were administratively corrected by AFPC/DPSOR. 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 1 October 2015 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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, aside from the administrative correction for award of the KDSM, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 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-2014-04997 in Executive Session on 29 October 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 December 2014, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 14 September 2015. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 21 September 2015, w/atch. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 October 2015. 1 2