RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-00589
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Operation JUST
CAUSE, Panama.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He flew a mission on 20 and 21 December 1989 as an aircrew member
(flight engineer) on an AWACS mission from Tinker AFB, OK, supporting
Operation JUST CAUSE. He retired from the Air Force prior to the
award of this AFEM for this action, and it was not entered on his DD
Form 214. He just learned of this award last week, and would like to
have this award entered in his records and be presented.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a page from the VFW
Magazine discussing the eligibility criteria for the award, a copy of
his DD Form 214, a copy of his Special Order, relieving him from
active duty, and a copy of his flight records.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s last tour of active duty was during the period 9 March
1988 - 28 February 1990. He was retired in the grade of master
sergeant (E-7) due to length of service on 1 March 1990, having served
20 years and 29 days on active duty.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR states that the applicant’s Individual Flight Records
provided with his DD Form 149 were checked with combat pilots at AFPC,
who informed DPPPR that the records provided were not the ones that
would substantiate the applicant’s claims. In order to determine
whether or not he participated in an operation, the records need to
reflect the Mission Code ( 01-Combat Sortie; 02-Combat Support
Sortie), since the Individual Flight Records do not show the
destination of the flights, only the hours flown. DPPPR informed the
applicant that the Individual Flight Records he provided did not
contain the necessary information to substantiate his claim. He was
provided the information needed to obtain the necessary forms with the
needed information. He was also informed that it would probably take
more than 30 days to obtain the proper forms, and he was asked to
withdraw his application until he could obtain the records that would
assist him. He did not respond. The last TDY information in his
records shows South America on 18 January 1989 for 24 days and
Iceland on 18 July 1989 for 24 days. This is no indication in the
applicant’s records that he participated in Operation JUST CAUSE;
therefore, they can not verify his eligibility for an additional Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal. Therefore, they recommend disapproval of
applicant’s request.
A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachment, is attached at
Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 30 May 2003, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to
the applicant for review and response within 30 days. 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. 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
and adopt their rationale as the basis for the conclusion that the
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no
compelling 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 this application, AFBCMR
Docket No. BC-2003-00589, in Executive Session on 9 July 2003, under
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Brenda L. Romine, Panel Chair
Mr. E. David Hoard, Member
Mr. James W. Russell III, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 Feb 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 27 May 03.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 May 03.
BRENDA L. ROMINE
Panel Chair
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