RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05446

					COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Air Force 
Overseas Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Air Force 
Training Ribbon (AFTR), United Nations Service Ribbon, Small Arms 
Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR), Cold War Medal, and the Cuban 
Missile Crisis Medal.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served overseas for 2 years, 11 months, and 23 days.  He served 
during a period when the NDSM was awarded.  He completed basic and 
technical training.  He was on temporary duty (TDY) to Uganda to 
assist in rotating the United Nations troops out of the Congo.  He 
was a sharpshooter and he served during Cold War and Cuban Missile 
Crisis.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 1 Sep 61, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular 
Air Force.

On 7 Oct 63, the applicant received a certificate of achievement 
for qualifying as a USAF sharpshooter.

By Special Order 120, dated 27 May 63, the applicant was ordered 
to proceed to Libya and Uganda for 25 days in support the 
Ethiopian Rotation.

On 23 Feb 65, the applicant was released from active duty and 
credited with 3 years, 5 months, and 23 days of active service.

On 6 Sep 91, a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate 
of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, was issued to add the 
NDSM to the applicant’s DD Form 214.

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 indicating there is no evidence of an 
error or an injustice.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s 
official military personnel record, his award of the NDSM was 
verified.  A DD Form 215 was issued on 6 Sep 91 to add the NDSM to 
his DD Form 214.  His entitlement to the AFEM, Air Force Overseas 
Ribbon, AFTR, United Nations Service Medal, and the SAEMR could 
not be verified.

The Air Force Overseas Ribbon is authorized for service members 
credited with the completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 Sep 
80.  Service members serving on active duty as of 6 Jan 86 are 
eligible to retroactively receive the Air Force Overseas Ribbon 
for completing an overseas tour.  The applicant is not entitled 
the Air Force Overseas Ribbon based on his serving on active duty 
prior to the authorization date of the ribbon.  

The AFTR is awarded to service members who competed initial 
accession training after 14 Aug 74,  The criteria was expanded in 
Dec 86 to authorize the ribbon to anyone who was on active duty 
regardless of when they completed their initial accession 
training.  The applicant completed his initial accession training 
prior to the establishment of the AFTR, therefore, rendering him 
eligible for the ribbon.

United Nations Service Medal (Korea) is awarded to service members 
who participated in the United Nation action in Korea between 27 
Jun 50 and 27 Jul 54, and are eligible for the Korean Service 
Medal (KSM).  There is no official documentation in the 
applicant’s military record to verify he was in an area of 
eligibility (Korea) for award of the United Nations Service Medal; 
therefore, rendering him ineligible for the medal.  Furthermore, 
there is no United Nations Service Medal authorized for service in 
Entebbe Uganda.

The SAEMR is awarded to service member who after 1 Jan 63 
qualified as an expert with the M-16 rifle or issued handgun.  
After 22 Jun 72, service members who qualified as an expert with 
both weapons earned a bronze service star.  While the applicant 
provided a certificate of achievement for the SAEMR stating he 
qualified as sharpshooter, there is no evidence to show he 
qualified as an expert or was awarded the SAEMR.

The Cold War Medal is a commemorative medal.  It is primarily a 
celebratory display medal rather than an official award of the Air 
Force or Department of Defense (DOD).  The Cold War 
Medal/Certificate recognizes service members and civilian 
personnel of the United States (US) Government who served the US 
during the Cold War.  This endeavor is being conducted by the 
Department of the Army.  The applicant may order his certificate 
on line or in writing. 

The AFEM is awarded to service members of the armed forces of the 
United States who after 1 July 1958 participate, or have 
participated as members of the U.S. military units in a military 
operation in which the service members of any Military Department 
participate, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in 
significant numbers.  While the AFEM was awarded to service 
members who deployed in the area of eligibility in support of 
operations in Cuba from 24 Oct 62 to 1 Jun 63, there was no 
evidence located in the applicant’s military personnel records to 
verify he deployed from his home station to the AOE in direct 
support of the operation in Cuba during the inclusive period for 
the AFEM for Cuba.  

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 9 Jun 14 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.  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.  
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no 
basis to recommend granting the requested relief.


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-2013-05446 in Executive Session on 23 Oct 14 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 Nov 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 Mar 14.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Jun 14.





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