RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-01995

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES 


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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His official records be changed to show he received the following awards and decorations: 

	1.  The Honorable Service Commemorative Medal.

	2.  The Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal.

	3.  The Air Force Overseas Ribbon.

	4.  The American Defense Service Medal.

	5.  The Armed Forces Service Medal.

	6.  The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have been awarded these decorations because he was stationed in Turkey.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 1 Jun 56.

On 31 May 60, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge, and was credited with four years of active service, to include one year, six months, and one day of foreign service.

On 21 Jun 13, AFPC/DPSIDRA directed the applicant’s official military records be corrected to reflect  he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) and Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA).
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  

The Air Force Overseas Ribbon (AFOS) is awarded to Air Force and Air Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 Sep 80.  Only individuals serving on active duty as of 6 Jan 86 are eligible to have the AFOS applied retroactively for completion of an overseas tour.  The applicant’s service dates from Jun 56 through May 60 were before the award was authorized, rendering him ineligible.  

The American Defense Service Medal (ADSM) is awarded to qualifying service members who served on active duty at any time between 8 Sep 39 and 7 Dec 41.  The applicant is ineligible for the ADSM because he was not serving on active duty during the inclusive period of the award.

The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who on or after 1 Jun 92, participate or have participated in a United States Military operation deemed to be a significant activity and who encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action.  The applicant is ineligible for the AFSM because he was not serving on active duty during the inclusive period of the award.

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) may be awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, after 1 Jul 58: participate as members of the United States Military units in a United States military operation in which service members of any Military Department participate in significant numbers and who, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, encounter incident to such participation, foreign armed opposition, or are otherwise placed, or have been placed in such position that hostile action by foreign forces was imminent, even though it did not materialize.  There is no official documentation in the applicant’s military records that verify he deployed to an area of eligibility in support of a qualifying operation for award of the AFEM. 

In addition, the Cold War Medal/Certificate recognizes members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the United States Government who served during the Cold War.  The Department of the Army controls and issues the Cold War Medal. 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 24 Jul 13 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

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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.  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 this application includes a request for two commemorative medals; however, that portion of the applicant’s request was not directly addressed by the Board because commemorative medals are not official decorations issued by the United States Air Force or Department of Defense.  As such, this Board has no authority to act on these requests.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief.

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-01995 in Executive Session on 27 Feb 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Apr 13, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 21 Jun 13.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Jul 13.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair