RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-01487
            INDEX CODE:  107.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect  award  of  the  Combat  Readiness
Medal (CRM), and his service in the Air Force Reserve be reflected  on
a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He believes he is eligible for the CRM  based  on  his  service  as  a
combat crew member with various organizations.

His Air Force Reserve service from 1  Dec  73  to  1  Dec  77  is  not
reflected on a DD Form 214.

In support of his appeal, the applicant  provided  extracts  from  his
military personnel records.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant’s military personnel records indicate  he  enlisted  in  the
Regular Air Force on 19 Jul 66 for a period of four (4) years  in  the
grade of airman basic.  He was credited with 3 years,  11 months,  and
26 days of active service.  He was released from active duty on 14 Jul
70 and transferred  to  the  Air  Force  Reserve.   He  was  honorably
discharged from the Air Force Reserve on 18 Jul 72.

On 3 Dec 73, the applicant enlisted in the Air  Force  Reserve  for  a
period of four (4) years in the  grade  of  staff  sergeant.   He  was
relieved from his Reserve assignment and honorably discharged from the
Air Force Reserve on 2 Dec 77 under the provisions of AFR 35-41.

By letter, dated 6 Jul 07,  the  System  Support  Branch  (AFPC/DPPRY)
notified  the  applicant  that  his   records   had   been   corrected
administratively to reflect award of the  Distinguished  Flying  Cross
(DFC), the Air Medal (AM) with four (4) Oak Leaf Clusters (4OLC),  Air
Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Presidential  Unit  Citation,
and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (Exhibit C).

By  letter,  dated  17  Jul  07,  the  Service   Verification   Branch
(ARPC/DPSD1) notified the  applicant  that  his  Reserve  service  was
reflected  in  his  enlistment  contract  and  discharge  certificate.
However, a DD Form 214,  Certificate  of  Release  or  Discharge  from
Active Duty, could only be  issued  for  specific  periods  of  active
service (Exhibit D).

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial indicating the CRM is awarded for periods
of qualifying service in combat or mission  ready  status  for  direct
weapons system employment.  The term  “combat  ready”  is  defined  as
being professionally and technically qualified  in  an  aircraft  crew
position in an aircraft that can be  used  in  combat.   According  to
AFPC/DPPPR, they were unable to verify the applicant’s entitlement  to
the CRM.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to  applicant  on  27
Jul 07 for review and response within 30 days.  As of  this  date,  no
response has been received by this office (Exhibit F).

_________________________________________________________________

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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice regarding the applicant’s request  for
the CRM.  A review of the available  evidence  reveals  the  applicant
served a tour in Southeast  Asia  (SEA)  as  an  aircraft  loadmaster.
Based on the DFC and five Air Medals he was awarded during  his  tour,
we believe it is reasonable to conclude the applicant was in a  combat
ready position.  We cannot determine by the evidence before us whether
he met the established criteria for award of  the  CRM.   However,  in
view of the above, we are inclined to  resolve  any  doubt  about  his
entitlement to the CRM in his favor.  Accordingly,  we  recommend  the
applicant’s records be corrected as set forth below.

4.  The applicant’s request that his  Air  Force  Reserve  service  be
reflected on a DD Form 214 was noted.  The applicant has been  advised
by the office of primary responsibility (OPR) that his Reserve service
is reflected in his records; however, a DD Form 214 is issued only for
specific periods of active service.  In view of the foregoing, we find
no basis upon which to recommend favorable action on  the  applicant’s
request.

5.  The available evidence of record reveals the  applicant’s  records
have  been  corrected  administratively  to  reflect  award   of   the
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), the Air Medal (AM) with four (4) Oak
Leaf Clusters (4OLC), Air Force Outstanding  Unit  Award  with  Valor,
Presidential Unit Citation, and  the  Republic  of  Vietnam  Gallantry
Cross with Palm.  Therefore, it appears  no  further  action  by  this
Board regarding this portion of his appeal is necessary.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the  Department  of  the  Air  Force
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show  that  his  DD  Form  214,
Armed Forces of the United States Report  of  Transfer  or  Discharge,
issued in conjunction with his release from active  duty  on  14  July
1970, be amended to include award of the Combat Readiness Medal (CRM).

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the  Board  considered  this  application  in
Executive Session on 6 Nov 07, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

      Mr. James W. Russell III, Panel Chair
      Mr. Joseph D. Yount, Member
      Ms. Patricia R. Collins, Member

All members  voted  to  correct  the  records,  as  recommended.   The
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number  BC-
2007-01487 was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 May 07, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRY, dated 6 Jul 07, w/atchs.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, ARPC/DPSD1, dated 17 Jul 07, w/atch.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 25 Jun 07.
     Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Jul 07.




                                   JAMES W. RUSSELL III
                                   Panel Chair



AFBCMR BC-2007-01487




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 (70A Stat 116), it is
directed that:

      The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to , be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Armed
Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in
conjunction with his release from active duty on 14 July 1970, be, and
hereby is, amended to include award of the Combat Readiness Medal
(CRM).






    JOE G. LINEBERGER

    Director

    Air Force Review Boards Agency