RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02126 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His record be corrected to show that he was awarded: 

 

a. The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). (Administratively corrected). 


 

 b. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). 

 

c. The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR). (Administratively corrected). 


 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He believes he qualifies for the AFEM and the NDSM for his 
assignment to the 39th Bombardment Wing during the Cuban Missile 
Crisis. In addition, he qualified as a small arms marksmanship 
“expert” with the 39th Defense Squadron on 19 January 1963. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer 
or Discharge and the history of the 39th Bombardment Wing. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Air Force on 28 September 1962. He 
was honorably discharged on 17 July 1963 in the grade of airman 
third class. He served 9 months and 20 days. 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA will administratively correct the applicant’s 
records to reflect he was entitled to the NSDM and SAEMR. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


The SAEMR is awarded to all U.S. Air Force service members who, 
after 1 January 1963, qualify as expert in small-arms 
marksmanship with either the M-16 or the issue handgun. 

 

The AFEM is awarded to member of the United States Armed Forces 
who, after 1 July 1958, have participated in a United States 
military operation or encountered foreign armed opposition, or 
were in danger of hostile action by foreign armed forces. In 
order to be eligible for award of the AFEM the member had to have 
served on the ground in the areas of eligibility (AOE). Service 
member must have specifically deployed in direct support of the 
designated operation. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states the applicant’s 
active duty service was completed within the continental United 
States (CONUS); therefore, he is ineligible for the AFEM. 

 

The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant states that there is no mention of a requirement of 
overseas service for the AFEM. He states many units in the CONUS 
were in direct support of the Cuban Missile Crisis and Operation 
Chrome Dome; therefore, he should qualify. He provides a copy of 
his Small Arms Marksmanship certificate to verify his entitlement 
to the SAEMR. 

 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit E. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of 
the case and note his records will be administratively corrected 
to reflect award of the NDSM and SAEMR. While the applicant 
believes he is entitled to the AFEM, a complete review of the 
evidence of record does not show he served in an eligible area of 


operations. Therefore, 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 that the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In 
the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that 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-2010-02126 in Executive Session on 13 January 2011, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

Panel Chair 

 Member 

Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 June 2010, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 19 July 2010. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Aug 10. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Aug 10 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair