RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-03210

 						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be amended to reflect the following awards and decorations:

	Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) (Will be administratively corrected).

	Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA).

	Air Force Training Ribbon (AFTR) (Will be administratively corrected).  

	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA).  

	Cold War Victory Medal.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 reflects his four years of service for award of the AFLSA.  

His unit at Griffiss AFB, NY was a part of Eighth Air Force and was awarded the AFOUA.  

He is eligible for the Cold War Victory Medal.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 19 November 1975 and was discharged on 16 November 1979.  He served 3 years, 11 months and 28 days of active duty service.  

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/DP3SP recommends denial for award of the AFOUA.  DP3SP was unable to locate any official documentation verifying the applicant served with a unit that received award of the AFOUA while he was assigned to the unit.  

The AFOUA was established and awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Air Force on 6 January 1954.  It is awarded to numbered units that have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units.  

DP3SP recommends denial for award of the AFLSA.  There is no documentation in the applicant’s records verifying he completed 4 years of qualifying service in order to be eligible for the AFLSA.   The applicant’s dates of active duty service were from 19 November 1975 to 16 November 1979, for a total of 3 years, 11 months and 28 days.  He is ineligible for award of the AFLSA as he did not complete 4 years of qualifying service.  

The AFLSA was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 25 November 1947 and is awarded to all service members of the United States Air Force who complete 4 years of honorable active service.  

DP3SP recommends denial for award of the Cold War Medal.  The Cold War Medal is a commemorative medal.  These medals are primarily celebratory display medals rather than official awards or decorations of the Air Force or DOD.  

The Cold War Medal Certificate recognizes 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 on line at the website or address provided.   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 and Chief of Staff.  

DP3SP was able to determine the applicant should have been awarded the AFCM and the AFTR during his period of service.  Upon the final decision of the Board, administrative correction of the applicant’s record will be accomplished by AFPC/DP2STM.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 19 May 2016 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.  While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years ago, in our view, the reasonable date of discovery of the alleged error or injustice was more than three years ago and the application is therefore untimely.  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 or injustice.  Therefore, aside from the administrative corrections for award of the AFCM and the AFTR, 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-2015-03210 in Executive Session on 6 October 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Panel Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03210 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 23 April 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 14 March 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 19 May 2016.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.