RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05644
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Headquarters United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) personnel
were awarded the BSM for service in the Gulf War (Operations
DESERT SHIELD/STORM). He was assigned to USCENTCOM during the
period 23 Aug 90 to 17 Mar 91, and was not awarded the BSM.
In support of his request, 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 DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher or
Subvoucher.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 1 Dec 78, the applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force.
He served 21 years and 2 months of total active service. He is
credited with three years, six months and three days of Foreign
Service.
The BSM is awarded to a person in any branch of the military
service, who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces
of the United States after 6 Dec 41, shall have distinguished
himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not
involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with
military operations against an armed enemy. The award recognizes
acts of heroism performed in ground combat if they are of lesser
degree than that required for the Silver Star. It also recognizes
single acts of merit and meritorious service if the achievement or
service is of a lesser degree than that deemed worthy of the
Legion of Merit (LOM); but such service must have been
accomplished with distinction.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. There is no official documentation
in the applicants record, nor was any provided, to verify he was
recommended for award of the BSM. In order for the applicants
request to be reasonably considered he will need to provide a
recommendation made by someone with firsthand knowledge of the
act/achievement, a proposed citation, and eyewitness statements
from those who saw the act/achievement. To grant relief would be
contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of
Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force,
Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.
The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.
SAF/MRBP concurs with the recommendation of AFPC/DPSID due to the
lack of verification the applicant was recommended for award of
the BSM.
The complete MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit D.
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the
applicant on 18 Apr 14, for review and comment within 30 days. As
of this date, no response has been received by this office
(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 an error or injustice. We took
notice of the applicants complete submission in judging the
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and
recommendations of the Air Force Offices of Primary Responsibility
(OPRs) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion
the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no
basis to recommend granting the requested relief.
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2013-05644 in Executive Session on 28 Aug 14, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 1 Dec 13, w/atch.
Exhibit B. Applicants Available Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 23 Mar 14.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBP, dated 8 Apr 14.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Apr 14.
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