RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03104 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to show that he was awarded: a. The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). b. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA). c. The Antarctica Service Medal (ASM). d. The NATO Medal. e. The Cold War Victory Medal (CWVM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: In October 1956, he was deployed to Forbes Air Force Base during the Suez Canal Crisis for 80 days; however, he was not recognized for his service. This deployment assisted the 55th Air Refueling Squadron (55 ARS) in winning the AFOUA. He also qualifies for the award of the NDSM, ASM, NATO Medal, and the CWVM. In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal letter, copies of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge; his AF Form 7, Airman Military Record; and information obtained from the internet on the 55 ARS. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 14 November 1955, the applicant enlisted in the Air Force. On 20 October 1959, he was honorably discharged in the grade of airman first class. He served 3 years 11 months and 7 days of total active service. The Secretary of the Air Force awards the AFOUA 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. The services include performance of exceptionally meritorious service, accomplishment of a specific outstanding achievement of national or international significance, combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States, or military operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force. The NDSM is awarded for honorable active military service as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States including the Coast Guard, between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954, (Korean War), between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, (Vietnam War), between 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995 (operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM), and currently from 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined (terrorism attacks on the United States). The ASM is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, US citizen, or resident alien of the United States, who after 1 January 1946 to a date to be announced, served on the Antarctic continent or in support of U.S. operations there. The NATO Medal was authorized by the Secretary General of NATO for specific NATO operations. In accordance with Executive Order 11446, the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may approve acceptance for operations and authorize the wear by US service who meet the criteria specified by the Secretary General of NATO. The acceptance of the NATO Medal has been approved for US Military personnel who served under NATO Command or operational control in direct support of NATO operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia, or as designated by Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), from 1 July 1992 through a future date to be determined. The CWVM is not issued by the Air Force. The CWVM is both an official medal of the National Guard and an unofficial military medal of the United States. It is awarded by the State of Louisiana and in ribbon form only by the State of Alaska. In the medal’s unofficial capactity it can be purchased by any member of the United States military, or civilian employees of the federal government, who served in their positions honorably during the years of the Cold War, specifically 2 September 1945 to 26 December 1991. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial for the AFOUA, NDSM, ASM and NATO Medal. DPSIDR states the applicant did not meet the criteria and they were unable to locate any official documentation that verifies entitlement to these awards. DPSIDR recommends the applicant contact the Department of Army for information regarding the Cold War Certificate. The applicant served in the Air Force from 14 November 1955 to 20 October 1959; therefore, rendering him ineligible for the NDSM. DPSIDR also states there is no official documentation located in the personnel records to verify the applicant serving on one of the Antarctic continents in direct support of a military operation to be eligible for the ASM. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of recognition of his service in the Suez Canal Crisis. DPAPP states they were able to verify the applicant’s temporary duty (TDY) to Newfoundland; however, they could not verify he was assigned to the 55 ARS. The applicant was unable to provide information to verify his service with the 55 ARS. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant states the 55 ARS and 815 Supply Squadron were both located at Forbes AFB, KS. On 30 October to 26 December 1956, the 55 ARS deployed to Harmon AFB, Newfoundland, APO 864. He and a fellow airman maintained, researched and expedited aircraft parts from flyaway kits to central control of the 55 ARS. He recently discovered the 55 ARS was awarded the AFOUA for their response to the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956. He feels he should be recognized for his serving while TDY to Harmon AFB in support of the 55 ARS. He feels the NDSM should be awarded to all service personnel regardless of the time of service. His service in Newfoundland in support of the Suez Canal should qualify him for the ASM; and his service in the 48th Supply Squadron in France, from 23 April 1957 to 20 October 1957, during the Lebanon Crisis should qualify him for the NATO Medal. The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit F. _________________________________________________________________ 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 error or injustice. After a thorough review of the available evidence and the applicant’s complete submission, we find no evidence, which would lead us to believe the applicant is entitled to the award of the AFOUA, NDSM, ASM and NATO Medal. Therefore, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that 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-2010-03104 in Executive Session on 1 June 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-2010-03104 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 Aug 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 19 Nov 10 . Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 16 Dec 10. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Dec 10. Exhibit F. Applicant’s Response, dated 2 Jan 11