RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03336 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: YES 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to show award of the Humanitarian 
Service Medal (HSM) or any other campaign awards issued to 
participants in support of Operation EAGLE CLAW. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He deployed with Joint Task Force 1-79 (JTF 1-79) on a 
classified mission to Wadi Qena, Egypt (Area Alpha) in support 
of Operation EAGLE CLAW during the period 23 Mar 80 to 7 May 80. 
He stayed behind after the failed mission so personnel could be 
evacuated and to protect Air Force assets left behind. 

 

He was denied a Department of Defense (DoD) security guard 
position with the Air Force because he had no campaign awards. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 16 Sep 77, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force, which is contained at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states they cannot 
determine if the applicant met the eligibility criteria for 
award of the HSM. His records indicate he participated in a 
classified TDY; but provides no indication as to specific 
operation or location. By the applicant’s own admission, he 
served in Egypt in support of Operation EAGLE CLAW; however, 
DPSID was unable to locate any official documentation verifying 
if Egypt was considered to be the geographical qualifying area 


of eligibility of Operating Location A/Operating Location B (OL-
A/OL-B). 

 

The HSM may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, 
subsequent to 1 Apr 75, distinguished themselves as individuals 
or as members of United States Military units or ships by 
meritorious, direct participation in a military act or operation 
of a humanitarian nature. The recipient must have been 
physically present at the designated location, having directly 
contributed to and influenced the action. Designated location 
is the immediate site(s) of the humanitarian operations as 
defined by the Presidential authorization of Federal assistance 
in the United States or the Department of State request for 
assistance for overseas areas. Specifically excluded from 
eligibility are service members or elements remaining at 
geographically separated locations or who were assigned to the 
humanitarian operation location but did not make a direct 
contribution to nor influenced the action. The medal may also 
not be presented if the Armed Forces Service Medal or Armed 
Forces Expeditionary Medal was presented for the same period of 
service. 

 

The HSM was awarded for service in support of the Iran Hostage 
Rescue from 24 Apr 80 thru 25 Apr 80, in Iran or Operating 
Location A (OL-A) or Operating Location B (OL-B). 

 

The applicant’s AF Form 909, Airman Performance Report (APR) 
(Airman Basic thru Senior Airman), rendered for the period 
19 Aug 79 through 18 Aug 80, and AF Form 77, Supplemental 
Evaluation Sheet, rendered for the period 23 Mar 80 through 
7 May 80, states he participated in a highly sensitive 
classified temporary duty (TDY) assignment. 

 

DPSID states there is insufficient evidence in the applicant’s 
military personnel records to support he served in the 
geographic area, Iran or OL-A/OL-B, in support of the Iran 
Hostage Rescue from 24 Apr 80 thru 25 Apr 80. Although the 
geographic location(s) of OL-A/OL-B cannot be confirmed, there 
is insufficient evidence to verify if Egypt was considered OL-A 
or OL-B. Furthermore, it cannot be confirmed through official 
documentation if the applicant served in Egypt. 

 

DPSID states no additional awards were verified for the 
applicant’s service from 16 Sep 77 to 15 Sep 81. 

 

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 


The applicant reiterates his original contention that he should 
be awarded the HSM for his participation with JTF 1-79 in 
support of Operation EAGLE CLAW. 

 

In further support of his request, the applicant provides a 
personal statement, DD Form 1610, Request and Authorization for 
TDY of DoD Personnel; DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher or 
Subvoucher; DD Form 1475, Basic Allowance for Subsistence – 
Certification; and various other documents associated with his 
request. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We note DPSID 
states the applicant’s entitlement to the HSM could not be 
verified through his official military personnel records. 
However according to his DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher or 
Subvoucher and AF Form 77, Supplemental Evaluation Sheet the 
applicant served in Area Alpha/OL-A during the period 
23 Mar 80 to 7 May 80. Further, the Air Force Historical 
Research Agency and the Special Operations Command verified that 
Area Alpha/OL-A was also known as Wadi Qena, Egypt. In view of 
the above and noting the criteria for the HSM, we believe a 
totality of the evidence supports favorable consideration of his 
request. Therefore, we recommend his record be corrected to the 
extent indicated below. 

 

4. The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 
will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 


The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was 
awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 
BC-2012-03336 in Executive Session on 18 Apr 13, 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 27 Jul 12, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Nov 12. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Nov 12. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair