RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01505
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty, be corrected to show entitlement to the following medals:

	1.  The Kuwait Liberation Medal – Kuwait (KLM-K).

	2.  The Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA).

	3.  The Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Service 
Stars (SWASM w/3BSS).  (Verified entitlement to SWASM w/1 BSS – 
will be administratively corrected)

	4.  The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA 
w/V).

	5.  The Air Force Achievement Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf 
Clusters (AFAM w/3 BOLC).

	6.  The Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star 
(ACM w/ 1 BSS). (Entitlement verified – will be administratively 
corrected)

	7.  The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM).

	8.  The Meritorious Unit Award – (MUA).

	9.  The Non-Article 5 North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
(NATO) Medal – International Security Assistance Force 
(Afghanistan). (Entitlement verified – will be administratively 
corrected)

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Various decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign 
ribbons are missing from his DD Form 214.

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs), a Statement of Wartime 
Service, and Special Orders and award citations.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force 
from 12 Feb 88 to 31 Mar 11.

DPSIDR was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the 
SWASM w/1BSS for his service in Cairo West from 11 Mar 93 to    
17 Jun 93, the ACM w/ 1BSS, the Air Force Expeditionary Service 
Ribbon with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFESR w/1OLC), and the 
NATO-ISAF for his service in Afghanistan from 4 Feb 07 to 9 Aug 
07.

The AFOUA is awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to units 
that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious 
service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit 
above and apart from similar units.  When the AFOUA is awarded 
to a unit for combat or direct combat support, the Valor device 
may be worn on the service ribbon.

This AFAM is awarded to Air Force personnel for outstanding 
achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on 
behalf of the Air Force. It may also be awarded for acts of 
courage lesser than for award of the Air Force Commendation 
Medal (AFCM).  

On 25 July 2001, DPSIDR advised the applicant by letter that 
they were unable to verify his entitlement to a third OLC to his 
AFAM; they were unable to locate a Special Order or any official 
recommendation awarding the applicant the AFAM 3/OLC.  He was 
also advised that in order to update his record, a Special Order 
must be provided for the requested decoration.  They advised the 
applicant to utilize the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act 
(NDAA) rules for decoration consideration if he did not have a 
Special Order to substantiate his claim.

The MUA is awarded to Air Force active duty, Reserve and Guard 
units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance 
of outstanding achievement or service in direct support of 
combat operations for at least 90 continuous days during the 
period of military operations against an armed enemy of the 
United States on or after 11 Sep 01.  The unit must display such 
outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally 
difficult tasks as to set it apart and above other units with 
similar missions.  The degree of achievement required is the 
same as that which would warrant award of the Legion of Merit.  
Superior performance of normal mission will not alone justify 
award of the MUA.  Service in a combat zone is not required, but 
service must be directly related to the combat effort.  
Squadrons, groups and wings may be recommended for this award.  
The MUA is not awarded to any unit or unit component previously 
awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force 
Organizational Excellence Award or unit awards from other 
service components for the same act, achievement or service.

The ICM is awarded to service members who have been assigned, 
attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of 
eligibility (AOE) for 30 consecutive days or for 60 non-
consecutive days.  

The KLM-SA is awarded to service members who served in support 
of Operation DESERT STORM between 17 Jan 91 and 28 Feb 91.  The 
KLM-K is awarded to service members who served in support of 
Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM between 2 Aug 90 and  
31 Aug 93.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for 
entitlement to the AFOUA w/V, MUA, ICM, KLM-K, and the KLM-SA.  

Regarding the AFOUA w/V and the MUA, after a thorough review of 
the units the applicant was assigned to, no official 
documentation was located to verify any units he served with 
received or were submitted for the AFOUA w/V or the MUA, 
rendering him ineligible for award of the AFOUA w/V and the MUA.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), was unable to 
verify the applicant served in Iraq, rendering him ineligible 
for award of the ICM.

DFAS verified the applicant’s Foreign Service time in Cairo West 
from 11 Mar 93 to 17 Jun 93, Saudi Arabia from Jan 97 to May 97, 
and in Kuwait from Jan 05 to Nov 05.  Cairo West is not an 
authorized AOE for award of the KLM-K or the KLM-SA, rendering 
him ineligible for award of the KLM-K and KLM-SA.

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 17 Jun 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded 
to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days.  To 
date, a response has not been received (Exhibit C).

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice regarding the 
applicant’s request for the ICM.  In this respect, we note the 
applicant’s Enlisted Performance Report (EPR), rendered for the 
period 27 Mar 07 through 31 Oct 07, indicates that he was 
deployed for 180 days to Camp Blackhorse, Iraq, and based on 
this, we believe he has met the criteria for award of the ICM.  
We note the Air Force office of primary responsibility has 
completed a thorough review of the applicant’s records and the 
evidence provided, and has verified the applicant’s entitlement 
to the SWASM w/1 BSS, ACM w/1 BSS, NATO-ISAF, and one Bronze Oak 
Leaf Cluster to his previously awarded AFESR.  Aside from the 
administrative corrections noted above and the ICM, we find no 
basis to recommend further relief in this case.  Accordingly, we 
recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as set forth 
below.

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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, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, 
issued in conjunction with his release from active duty on 31 
March 2011, be amended to include award of the Iraq Campaign 
Medal (ICM).

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-01505 in Executive Session on 11 Aug 11, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Apr 11, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 3 Jun 11.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jun 11.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair
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