RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-05058

XXXXXXXXXX					COUNSEL:  NONE

							HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  He be awarded the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal. (Will be administratively corrected) 

2.  He be awarded the Cold War Medal.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have been awarded the aforementioned medals.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered active duty in the Regular Air Force on 16 December 1974.

On 31 December 1998, the applicant was relieved from active duty and retired effective 1 January 1999.  He was credited with 24 years and 15 days of active 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 of the applicant’s request for 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 United States Air Force and Department of Defense.  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 endeavor is being conducted by the Department of the Army.  The applicant may order his certificate online at:

https://www.hrc.army.mil/tagd/cold%20war%20recognition%20certificate%20program 

The applicant may also write to the following address:

Commander, USAHRC
ATTN: AHRC-PDP-A, Department 480
1600 Spearhead Division Avenue
Fort Knox KY 40122-5408
(502) 613-9126

AFPC/DP3SP was able to determine the applicant should have been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.  The applicant has been provided an initial issue of this award.  Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 5 July 2016, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD:

Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a careful review of the applicant's contentions, documentation submitted in support of the request, and the available evidence of record, we are not convinced the applicant has provided sufficient evidence for us to conclude that he is the victim of an error or injustice.  We also note the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 Correction of military records: claims incident thereto, and AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.  While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years prior to receipt of the application, we believe a reasonable date of discovery was more than three years prior to receipt of the application.  Therefore, beyond the relief already granted administratively, we do not find it would be in the interest of justice to recommend granting relief, and the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file the application.  Accordingly, we find the application untimely.

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness.  It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-05058 in Executive Session on 14 February 2017, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-05058 was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 November 2015.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 12 June 2016, 
  w/atch.
Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 5 July 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.