RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05446 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Overseas Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Air Force Training Ribbon (AFTR), United Nations Service Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR), Cold War Medal, and the Cuban Missile Crisis Medal. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served overseas for 2 years, 11 months, and 23 days. He served during a period when the NDSM was awarded. He completed basic and technical training. He was on temporary duty (TDY) to Uganda to assist in rotating the United Nations troops out of the Congo. He was a sharpshooter and he served during Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 1 Sep 61, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 7 Oct 63, the applicant received a certificate of achievement for qualifying as a USAF sharpshooter. By Special Order 120, dated 27 May 63, the applicant was ordered to proceed to Libya and Uganda for 25 days in support the Ethiopian Rotation. On 23 Feb 65, the applicant was released from active duty and credited with 3 years, 5 months, and 23 days of active service. On 6 Sep 91, a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, was issued to add the NDSM to the applicant’s DD Form 214. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, his award of the NDSM was verified. A DD Form 215 was issued on 6 Sep 91 to add the NDSM to his DD Form 214. His entitlement to the AFEM, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, AFTR, United Nations Service Medal, and the SAEMR could not be verified. The Air Force Overseas Ribbon is authorized for service members credited with the completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 Sep 80. Service members serving on active duty as of 6 Jan 86 are eligible to retroactively receive the Air Force Overseas Ribbon for completing an overseas tour. The applicant is not entitled the Air Force Overseas Ribbon based on his serving on active duty prior to the authorization date of the ribbon. The AFTR is awarded to service members who competed initial accession training after 14 Aug 74, The criteria was expanded in Dec 86 to authorize the ribbon to anyone who was on active duty regardless of when they completed their initial accession training. The applicant completed his initial accession training prior to the establishment of the AFTR, therefore, rendering him eligible for the ribbon. United Nations Service Medal (Korea) is awarded to service members who participated in the United Nation action in Korea between 27 Jun 50 and 27 Jul 54, and are eligible for the Korean Service Medal (KSM). There is no official documentation in the applicant’s military record to verify he was in an area of eligibility (Korea) for award of the United Nations Service Medal; therefore, rendering him ineligible for the medal. Furthermore, there is no United Nations Service Medal authorized for service in Entebbe Uganda. The SAEMR is awarded to service member who after 1 Jan 63 qualified as an expert with the M-16 rifle or issued handgun. After 22 Jun 72, service members who qualified as an expert with both weapons earned a bronze service star. While the applicant provided a certificate of achievement for the SAEMR stating he qualified as sharpshooter, there is no evidence to show he qualified as an expert or was awarded the SAEMR. The Cold War Medal is a commemorative medal. It is primarily a celebratory display medal rather than an official award of the Air Force or Department of Defense (DOD). The Cold War Medal/Certificate recognizes service members and civilian personnel of the United States (US) Government who served the US during the Cold War. This endeavor is being conducted by the Department of the Army. The applicant may order his certificate on line or in writing. The AFEM is awarded to service members of the armed forces of the United States who after 1 July 1958 participate, or have participated as members of the U.S. military units in a military operation in which the service members of any Military Department participate, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in significant numbers. While the AFEM was awarded to service members who deployed in the area of eligibility in support of operations in Cuba from 24 Oct 62 to 1 Jun 63, there was no evidence located in the applicant’s military personnel records to verify he deployed from his home station to the AOE in direct support of the operation in Cuba during the inclusive period for the AFEM for Cuba. 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 9 Jun 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its 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-2013-05446 in Executive Session on 23 Oct 14 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Nov 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 Mar 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Jun 14.