RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-04853

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

1.  Amend his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to reflect his correctly spelled middle name, Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) [sic], and Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) (administratively resolved).
                                    
2.  Amend his DD Form 214 to reflect award of the Kuwait Liberation Medal (KLM).  In rebuttal, the applicant clarified that he should be eligible for the KLM-Kuwait (KLM-K).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His middle name was incorrectly spelled; the SWASM and KLM were not fully developed and still being issued at the time of his separation; and he received the AFAM as his separation award, but after his DD Form 214 was issued.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air Force senior airman (E-4).

For the reporting period of 24 Nov 91 through 23 Nov 92, according to the applicant’s AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AF thru TSgt), he deployed to Saudi Arabia.

On 1 Apr 93, the applicant was issued a DD Form 214, which reflects he was credited with 3 months and 25 days of Foreign Service.  In addition, Block 18 (Remarks) indicates he served from 8 Sep 91 to 3 Jan 92 in the DESERT SHIELD/STORM area of responsibility [3 months 25 days].

On 19 Mar 04, the applicant was issued a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (separation date 1 Apr 93), correcting his middle name and awarding him the AFAM and SWASM.   

On 10 Oct 19, the AFPC Recognition Team notified the applicant that it was able to verify award of the AFAM and SWASM.  However, it was unable to verify award of the KLM-Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA) or the KLM-K and requested the applicant provide any additional source documents (Exhibit C).

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit D.

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

AFMAN 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, 10 Jun 19, paragraph A12.7, states that Air Force members are authorized to accept and wear the KLM-K if they served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM or the Cease Fire Campaign between 2 Aug 90 and 31 Aug 93, in one or more of the following areas:  the Arabian 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.  To be eligible, members must have been serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days during this period (see Exhibit G). 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application as it was unable to verify award of the KLM-SA and the KLM-K based on the official record and the documentation provided by the applicant.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 26 Jul 20 for comment (see Exhibit E), and the applicant replied by email on 19 Aug 20.  In his response, he stated that he understood the rationale for denying the Saudi Arabia version of this medal, as he was not in theater during the required timeframe.  However, his DD Form 214 clearly highlighted his service in the Operation DESERT STORM/SHIELD area of responsibility and that he was in theater at the required time for award of the KLM-K.  

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit F.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  While the Board notes the recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP against correcting the record, the Board finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Specifically, the applicant’s Nov 92 Enlisted Performance Report reflects his deployment to Saudi Arabia which corresponds to the DD Form 214 which reflects 3 months and 25 days of Foreign Service in block 12f and service from 8 Sep 91 to 3 Jan 92  [3 months and 25 days] in the DESERT SHIELD/STORM area of responsibility.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 31 Apr 93 separation, be amended in Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) to reflect the Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait.

CERTIFICATION

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-04853 in Executive Session on 19 Nov 20:

 , Panel Chair
 , Panel Member
 , Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 30 Oct 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Memorandum, AFPC Recognition Team, dated 10 Oct 19.
Exhibit D:  Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 26 Jul 20.
Exhibit E:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, w/atch, dated 27 Jul 20.
Exhibit F:	Applicant’s response, w/atch, dated 19 Aug 20.
Exhibit G:	Applicable Authority (AFM 36-2806 extract).

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.