RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:					DOCKET NUMBER:  02-02055
								INDEX CODE:  110.00
								COUNSEL:  NONE

								HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Air Force Overseas Long and Short Tour Ribbons (AFOLTR, AFOSTR) and Air Force Training Ribbon (AFTR). 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in Germany on a long tour from 1964 through 1967.  He served in Thailand from 1967 through 1968 and Alaska from 1970 through 1975.  He took basic training while an enlisted member at Parks AFB, CA from August - September 1956.

In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s service history record indicates that he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 16 August 1956 and served in this capacity until 20 December 1962.  On 21 December 1962, he accepted a commission and continued to serve until his retirement in the grade of major on 1 September 1976.  He was credited with 20 years and 15 days of active service for retirement.  Records indicate he had foreign service assignments in Germany, Thailand and Alaska.  He was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/device (AFOUAw/Dev); Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross/with device (RVGCw/Dev); ADFRM…[sic] Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM); Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM); Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR); Combat Readiness Medal (CRM); National Defense Service Medal (NDSM); Vietnam Service Medal (VSM); Bronze Star Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCMw/1OLC) and the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).  

This same appeal by the applicant was considered and denied by Air Force Personnel Council on 18 March 1988.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied.  DPPPR stated that, on 17 July 2002, they advised the applicant that he was ineligible for the requested ribbons.  DPPPR states that the AFOLTR, AFOSTR and AFTR were established on 12 October 1980 and are awarded to Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard Air Force personnel who were on active status as of the institution date to qualify for these ribbons.  Since the applicant retired on 31 August 1976, he is not eligible for any of the awards.

DPPPR noted that on 2 August 2002, applicant responded to the their notification that he was ineligible for the requested awards by stating that after 14 years, he had hoped that the injustice of overlooking thirty-three years of Air Force veterans through the Vietnam War, Korean War, and most of the Cold War would be corrected.

The DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 16 August 2002, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 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.  The applicant’s contentions are duly noted, however, we find his assertions, in and by themselves, insufficient to support findings that he was entitled to the Air Force Overseas Long and Short Tour Ribbons and the Air Force Training Ribbon since he was retired before the awards were established and there is no indication that responsible officials made the decision to extend the eligibility for these awards to members previously separated.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden that he has suffered either an error or injustice in this matter.  While we appreciate and honor the applicant’s service to his country, in view of the above and absent persuasive evidence showing his records are in error or unjust or that he was treated differently from other similarly situated individuals, the applicant’s request is not favorably considered. 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of probable 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.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 26 November 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 June 2002 w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 12 August 2002 w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 August 2002.

                                   Panel Chair