RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02329 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect: 1. He was credited with foreign service credit for his deployment to Qatar. 2. He was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V), Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars (SWASM w/2 BSS), Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait (KLM-K). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His deployment to Qatar in support of Operation DESERT SHEILD/DESERT STORM is not reflected his records or on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. In support of his application, the applicant provides copies of DD Form 1610, Request and Authorization for TDY Travel of DOD Personnel; AF Form 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administrative Orders; and two witness statements. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 3 May 85, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. He was released from active duty on 2 Jun 91. He was credited with six years and one month of total active service which included 3 years, 1 month, and 24 days of foreign service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility, which are attached at Exhibit C and D. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. A review of the applicant’s military personnel records and the documentation provided failed to substantiate any foreign service in Qatar. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the AFOUA w/V, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The AFOUA is awarded to units who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievements that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. A bronze “V” device is awarded when the award of the AFOUA is made to a unit for combat or direct combat support. The applicant was assigned to the 4456th Aircraft Generation Squadron between Sep 85 and May 86. The 4456th Aircraft Generation Squadron received award of the AFOUA for the period 1 Jun 84 to 31 May 86. He was assigned to the 401st Equipment Maintenance Squadron from Apr 88 until his release on 22 Jun 91. The 401st Equipment Maintenance Squadron received the AFOUA for the period 1 Apr 89 to 31 Mar 91. However, there is no evidence in his record to indicate that he served with a unit that was awarded the AFOUA with Valor. As for his request for the SWASM w/2 BSS, KLM-K and the KLM-SA, AFPC/DPSID recommends approval. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) verified the applicant deployed to the Southwest Asia area of responsibility (AOR) from 6 Aug 90 to 15 Mar 91, but could not provide a location. However, the applicant provided two eyewitness statements attesting to the fact that he was deployed to Qatar between Aug 90 and Feb 91. Therefore, in view of the fact that such service is qualifying for award of the SWASM, KLM-K and KLM-SA, the Board should approve these aspects of the applicant’s requests. The applicant’s entitlement to the AFOUA w/1 BOLC and the Air Good Conduct Medal with one with 1 BOLC (AFGCM w/1 BOLC) were verified and his record will administratively corrected to reflect these awards. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 31 Oct 13 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 error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request for award of the Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V). After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, there was no official evidence showing the applicant was attached or assigned to a unit that received the award. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting award of the AFOUA w/V. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice with respect to the applicant’s foreign service in Qatar. While we note the comments of AFPC/DPAPP indicating they were unable to verify the applicant performed such service, we believe that a preponderance of the evidence indicates that corrective action is warranted. In this respect, we note the applicant provided two eyewitness statements indicating he was deployed to Qatar during a period which coincides with the dates that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) verified the applicant was in the Southwest Asia area of responsibility (AOR). Accordingly, we recommend the applicant be credited with “boots on the ground” in Qatar during the period 6 Aug 90 to 15 Mar 91. Additionally, in view of the fact that we have determined that there is sufficient evidence to credit the applicant with said service, and such service is qualifying for award of the SWASM w/2BSS, KLM-SA and KLM-K, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to reflect his entitlement to these awards as well. Therefore, in view of the above, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that: a. He had “boots on the ground” in Qatar, Saudi Arabia during the period 6 August 1990 through 15 March 1991. b. He was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars (SWASM w/2BSS), the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Kuwait (KLM-K). ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02329 in Executive Session on 6 March 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 May 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 25 Jun 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Sep 13. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Oct 13. Chair AFBCMR BC-2013-02329 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code it is directed that: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to be corrected to show that: a. He had “boots on the ground” in Qatar, Saudi Arabia during the period 6 August 1990 through 15 March 1991. b. He was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars (SWASM w/2BSS), the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Kuwait (KLM-K). Director Air Force Review Boards Agency