RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03521
			COUNSEL: NO
			HEARING DESIRED: NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge be corrected to reflect the following:

	a.  The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak 
Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/2BOLCs) (will be administratively 
corrected).

	b.  The Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) (will be 
administratively corrected).

	c.  The Combat Readiness Medal (CRM).

	d.  The Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour (AFOR-ST).

2.  He receive the Cold War Certificate of Appreciation. 

3.  He receive a corrected copy of his DD Form 214. 

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, was 
awarded/presented the AFOUA w/2BOLCs after he was discharged. 

The AFLSA is automatic for anyone who served four years of 
active duty.  He completed four years and four months; 
therefore, the AFLSA should be added to his DD Form 214. 

His DD Form 214 reflects he served 1 year, 4 months and 13 days 
of Foreign Service all in support of Arc Light combat missions.  
He served as an Alert Ground Crew member on nuclear alert.  He 
cannot confirm the actual dates; however, he was assigned to an 
aircraft on nuclear alert for one year.  He believes his Foreign 
Service time and alert duty time should be enough to confirm he 
accumulated the 24-month requirement needed for eligibility for 
award of the CRM.  

He served enough time to meet the requirement for award of the 
AFOR-ST.

Serving in a nuclear combat roll while assigned to the Strategic 
Air Command during the Cold War should entitle him to receive 
the Cold War Certificate of Appreciation.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of DD Form 214; DD Forms 1351-2, Travel 
Voucher or Subvoucher; DD Forms 1351-2c, Continuation Sheet; AF 
Forms 626, TDY Order-Military, and various other documents 
associated with his request.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 18 Mar 64, the applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force.  

On 17 Jul 68, the applicant was released from active duty.  He 
served four years and four months of total active service.  He 
was credited with 1 year, 4 months and 13 days of Foreign 
Service. 

The CRM is awarded to members of the Air Force and Air Force 
Reserve, and to members of other services after 1 Aug 60, for 
sustained individual combat or mission readiness or preparedness 
for direct weapon-system employment.  Specifically, a service 
member must meet the following criteria:  1) complete an 
aggregate 24 months of sustained professional performance as a 
member of United States Air Force combat or mission-ready units 
subject to combat readiness reporting; or be individually 
certified as combat or mission ready and have maintained 
individual readiness the entire period according to a major 
headquarters; or subject to an individual positional evaluation 
program according to a higher headquarters standard.

The AFOR was authorized by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force 
(CSAF), 12 Oct 80.  The ribbon was authorized to be 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 
AFOR applied retroactively for completion of an overseas tour. 

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for 
award of the CRM and AFOR-ST.  A review of the applicant’s 
records failed to substantiate he served in a combat ready 
position for 24 months and was awarded or recommended for the 
CRM by his assigned base.  The applicant’s assigned base/Major 
Command (MAJCOM) is responsible for the verification of assigned 
members being considered combat ready. 

The applicant was discharged in 1968, some 12 years prior to the 
authorization of the AFOR; therefore, rendering him ineligible.  
To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by 
DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the 
Secretary of the Air Force, CSAF, and/or the War Department.

The Cold War Medal/Certificate recognizes members of the Armed 
Forces and civilian personnel of the United States government 
who served in the United States during the Cold War.  The 
endeavor is being conducted by the Department of the Army and 
the applicant can order his certificate online or write to the 
following address:  

		USAHRC
		Cold War Recognition Program
		ATTN: AHRC-PDA-A, Dept 480
		1600 Spearhead Division Avenue
		Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408

DPSID was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the 
AFOUA w/2BOLCs, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service 
Star (VSM w/1BSS), AFLSA, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry 
Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) for his service from 18 Mar 64 to 
17 Jul 68, and were not reflected in his records.  Upon final 
determination by the Board, DPSOR will administratively correct 
the applicant’s records.

The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 8 Nov 13, review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, this office has not received a 
response.

_________________________________________________________________

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.  After 
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the 
applicant’s contentions, we agree with the opinion and 
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that 
relief beyond that already granted administratively is not 
warranted.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the 
contrary, we find no basis to grant 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-2013-03521 in Executive Session on 27 May 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 Jul 13, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 17 Oct 13, w/atch.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Nov 13.




							
							Panel Chair