RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03611

					COUNSEL:  NONE

					HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect that he received the 
following awards and ribbons:

1.  The Presidential Unit Citation with three Bronze Oak Leaf 
Clusters (PUC w/3BOLC)).

2.  The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V).

3.  The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).

4.  The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He received these awards and ribbons during his service in 
Germany from 1964 – 1966.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 
7 Jan 63.

On 7 Dec 66, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, 
and was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 1 day 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/DPSID recommends denial of the PUC w/3BOLC, AFOUA w/V, and 
the SAEMR, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an 
injustice.  On 24 Nov 14, the OPR determined the applicant’s 
entitlement to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one 
Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/1BOLC).  The applicant was 
previously awarded the NDSM as annotated on his DD Form 214, 
Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge, dated 7 Dec 66; therefore, no action is required.  
Upon final board decision the record will be administratively 
corrected.  

The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded in the name of the 
President of the United States to units of the Armed Forces of 
the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary 
heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on, or after, 
16 Oct 41, for United States Navy and United States Marine Corps 
units, and on or after 7 Dec 41, for United States Army units.

The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is awarded by the Secretary 
of the Air Force to units that have distinguished themselves by 
exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement 
that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units.  
A bronze valor device may be worn on the service ribbon when the 
award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is made to a unit 
for combat or direct combat support.

The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon is awarded to all 
United States Air Force members who after 1 Jan 63, qualify as 
"expert" in small-arms marksmanship with either the M-16 rifle 
or issue handgun.  

After a thorough review of the applicant's official military 
personnel record, no documentation was found to verify award of 
the PUC w/3BOLC or the AFOUA w/V.  The OPR was unable to verify 
any units that received these awards while the applicant was 
assigned; rendering him ineligible.  Additionally, there is no 
documentation in the applicant’s record to verify that he 
qualified as expert with either the M-16 rifle or issue handgun; 
rendering him ineligible for the SAEMR.  To grant relief would 
be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, 
Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War 
Department.

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 23 Feb 15, 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:

After careful consideration of applicant’s request and the 
available evidence of record, we find the application untimely.  
Applicant did not file within three years after the alleged 
error or injustice was discovered as required by Title 10, 
United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-
2603.  Applicant has not shown a plausible reason for the delay 
in filing, and we are not persuaded that the record raises 
issues of error or injustice which require resolution on the 
merits.  Thus, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of 
justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to file in a timely 
manner.  We note the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
(OPR) has determined the applicant’s eligibility for award of 
the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf 
Cluster, and will correct his records administratively.  As for 
his request for the NDSM, in view of the fact that the NDSM is 
already reflected in the applicant’s records, no action by this 
Board is required.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the 
contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting any relief 
beyond that rendered administratively.  


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-2014-03611 in Executive Session on 18 Jun 15, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR 
Dockett Number BC-2014-03611 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 31 Aug 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 Nov 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Feb 15.