RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04680 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be entitled to the Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long Tour (AFOR-LT), Overseas Service Commemorative Ribbon, Cold War Commemorative Ribbon, United States Air Force Commemorative Ribbon, American Defense Service Commemorative Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Service Commemorative Ribbon, and the Honorable Service Commemorative Ribbon. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His records are incomplete in regards to medals that come out after his discharge date. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 17 Sep 52. On 10 Jun 60, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge and was credited with 7 years, 8 months, and 24 days of active service, which included 2 years, 11 months, and 24 days of foreign service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The AFOR was authorized by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force on 12 Oct 80. Only individuals serving on active duty as of 6 Jan 86 are eligible to have the AFOR applied retroactive to its initial effective date. However, the applicant’s dates of service were well prior to the effective date of the AFOR and he is therefore not eligible. In regards to the commemorative medals, they are primarily celebratory display medals. They are not official awards or decorations of the United States Air Force or Department of Defense and are not awarded or issued by the United States government. In case the applicant was referring to the Cold War Victory Medal/Certificate, that endeavor is being conducted by the Department of the Army, recognizing members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the United States Government who served in the United States during the Cold War. The applicant may order his certificate online or write the United States Army Human Resources Command. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 20 May 14 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ 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 regarding the Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long Tour (AFOR-LT). We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DPSID and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. As for the applicant’s remaining requests, we note the comments of AFPC/DPSID indicating that the commemorative medals the applicant requests are primarily celebratory display medals and not official awards or decorations of the Air Force or Department of Defense; As such, this Board does not have authority to correct the applicant’s records to reflect he received these commemorative awards. Instead, the applicant may pursue these commemorative awards, to include the Cold War Recognition Medal, in accordance with the instructions provided in the AFPC/DPSID advisory opinion. 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-2013-04680 in Executive Session on 21 Aug 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 Sep 13. Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 Mar 14. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 May 14.