RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00746

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect the following awards:

	1.  Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM)

	2.  Vietnam Service Medal (VSM)

	3.  Cold War Service Medal

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Award of the VSM, VCM and Cold War Service Medal were finalized after his discharge from the Air Force.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 28 Jun 74.

On 11 Jun 76, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 2 years, 5 months, and 5 days of total service for pay.

On 20 Apr 16, AFPC/DP3SP directed the applicant’s official military record be corrected to add the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V).

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 indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The applicant’s dates of service are past the award inclusive period for award of the VSM and the VCM.  Furthermore, there is no official documentation nor did the applicant provide any to verify he served in the area of eligibility and during the award inclusive period.  Although the applicant did serve during the Cold War, the Cold War Medal is a commemorative medal rather than an official award or decoration.

The VSM is awarded to all service members of the armed forces who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia; Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia; or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.  

The VCM is awarded to all service members of the armed forces who served for six months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 to 28 Mar 73.  

The Cold War Medal is a commemorative medal.  This medal is a primarily celebratory display medal rather than an official award or decoration of the United States Air Force or Department of Defense.  In the 1998 National Defense Authorization Act, the Secretary of Defense approved awarding Cold War Recognition Certificates to all members of the armed forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States anytime during the Cold War era, which is defined as 2 Sep 45, to 26 Dec 91, are eligible. 

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 17 Oct 16 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 timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that granted administratively is not warranted.  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-2016-00746 in Executive Session on 23 Feb 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00746 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 16 Feb 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 20 May 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 17 Oct 16.

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.