RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-05190 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to add the following awards and ribbons: a. Bronze Star Medal (BSM) (Previously Annotated) b. Air Force Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFCM w/2BOLC) (Previously Annotated). c. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/V & 4BOLC) (Administratively Resolved). d. Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFGCM w/4BOLC)(Previously Annotated). e. Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze Loops (GCM w/2BrLps) (Administratively Resolved). f. National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) (Previously Annotated). g. Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Star (VSM w/2BSS) (Administratively Resolved). h. Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) (Previously Annotated). i. Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFLSA w/4BOLC) (Previously Annotated) j. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) (Previously Annotated). k. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) (Administratively Resolved). l. Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). m. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Conduct Knots (RVNGC w/BCK). 2. The following Commemorative Medals: Overseas Service Commemorative Medal, Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service, American Defense Commemorative Medal, Combat Service Commemorative, United States Air Force Commemorative, the Armed Forces Retired Commemorative, and the United States Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Commemorative. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He wants all of his awards and decorations, and requests help in receiving the commemorative ribbons. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 5 Mar 56. On 31 Oct 78, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 22 years, 7 months, and 26 days of active service. The applicant’s DD Form 214s reflect the award of the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: a. Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFGCM w/4BOLC) (DD Form 214, dated 31 Oct 78) b. Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFLSA w/4BOLC) (DD Form 214, dated 31 Oct 78) c. Air Force Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFCM w/2BOLC) (DD Form 214, dated 31 Oct 78) d. Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) (DD Form 214, dated 9 Aug 73) e. Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Star (VSM w/2BSS) (DD Form 214, dated 9 Aug 73) f. Bronze Star Medal (BSM) (DD Form 214, dated 9 Aug 73) g. National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) (DD Form 214, dated 12 Apr 69) h. Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) (DD Form 214, dated 12 Mar 65) i. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/V & 4BOLC) (DD Form 214, dated 12 Mar 65) j. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) (DD Form 214, dated 12 Mar 65) 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 applicant’s requests for the AFSM, RVNGC w/BCK, and all commemorative medals. The applicant’s dates of service are prior to the award authorization date for award of the AFSM; rendering him ineligible for award. The RVNGC w/BCK is not an official United States Air Force Department of Defense award or decoration and therefore cannot be updated to the applicant’s record. As for the applicant’s request related to the commemorative medals, these medals are primarily celebratory display medals rather than official awards or decorations and therefore cannot be updated on the DD Form 214 as they are not official Air Force or Department of Defense awards or decorations. However, the applicant may obtain the awards from a commercial source. 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 1 Jul 15 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; 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 with respect to the applicant’s request for the Armed Forces Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Conduct Knots, and all commemorative medals. 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 of injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and will correct his records administratively. 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 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-2014-05190 in Executive Session on 13 Aug 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-05190 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Dec 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Mar 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Jul 15.