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: 

 

Panel Chair 

 Member 

Member 

 

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 

 

 

 

 

 
Panel Chair