RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS. AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-02908 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following medals for his participation in support of OPERATION DESERT STORM and OPERATION DESERT SHIELD: The Southwest Asia Service Medal The Saudi Arabian Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia The Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The decorations were earned but not awarded at the time of his retirement. The mission was still ongoing and the medals had not yet been given out at that time. His DD Form 214, Certificate of Discharge or Transfer from Active Duty, references this service. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who served from 22 March 1992 through 31 August 1994. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial. The Southwest Asia Service Medal is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM, between the period 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995, in one 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. To be eligible, a service member must: be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore (military) operations; be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated; have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations. The Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait is awarded to those members who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993, in one or more of the following areas: the Arabian Gulf; Red Sea; Gulf of Oman; that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west 68 degrees east longitude; Gulf of Aden; or, the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates. To be eligible, a service member must: be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore (military) operations; be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated; have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non­ consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations. The Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia is authorized by the government of Saudi Arabia to members of Coalition Forces who participated in Operation DESERT STORM. Members of the United States Armed Forces are authorized to accept and wear the Kuwait Liberation Medal. To be eligible United States personnel must have served in support of Operation DESERT STORM between 17 January 1991 and 28 February 1991, in one or more of 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, Omar, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Members must have been: attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore 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 supporting military operations in the areas designated above; or, serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days during this period. That time limitation may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations. The applicant references his DD Form 214, dated 31 August 1994 Section 18-Remarks which reads, "Member served in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm from 2 August 1990 to 31 August 1994." This statement means from the start of Operation DESERT SHEILD/STORM (2 August 1990) until the applicant's date of separation (31 August 1994) he supported the operation, as were all active duty service members. This statement does not mean that he was deployed and serving in the area of eligibility of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM for this period. When a service member has deployed to the area of eligibility in direct support of Operation DESERT SHEILD/STORM there is normally a statement following the above remark that reads "Member served in the area of eligibility in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm from XX to XX." This statement will include the exact date the service member entered the area of eligibility and the exact date the member left. After a thorough review of the applicant's official military personnel record, his entitlement to the award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait and the Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia, could not be verified. A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 11 January 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD: Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a careful review of the applicant's contentions, documentation submitted in support of the request, and the available evidence of record, we are not convinced the applicant has provided sufficient evidence for us to conclude that he is the victim of an error or injustice. We also note the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-2603. While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years prior to receipt of the application, we believe a reasonable date of discovery was more than three years prior to receipt of the application. Therefore, because we do not find it would be in the interest of justice to recommend granting relief, and the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file the application. Accordingly, we find the application untimely. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness. It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-02908 in Executive Session on 7 April 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 Aug 15. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 9 Dec 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jan 16.