RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-01381
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  05 NOV 08

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Korean Service Medal (KSM) or the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM)

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

While serving in Alaska, on or about 8 Dec 52, applicant believes he should be entitled to the KSM or the KDSM.  At the time, Alaska was not a state and considered an overseas location.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant entered active duty on 8 Dec 52 and was honorably relieved from active duty on 31 Dec 72.  On 1 Jan 73, he was retired in the grade of technical sergeant with a date of rank of 1 Aug 71.  Applicant was credited with 20 years and 23 days of active duty service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application and recommended denial, stating, in part, no evidence was located or submitted by the applicant that verifies he served in Korea, to be eligible for award of the KSM or KDSM.  

The KSM is awarded for service between 27 Jun 50 and 27 Jun 54; members must have participated in combat or served with a combat or service unit in the Korean Theater for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days during the designated period.

The KDSM is awarded for service from 28 Jul 54 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense; members must have been assigned, attached or mobilized to units operating or serving on all the land area of Korea.

HQ AFPC/DPPPR’s complete 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 1 Jun 07 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 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Applicant’s records were thoroughly reviewed, however, no documents were found to substantiate his eligibility for award of the Korean Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, or that he was entitled to any other awards or decorations from his time in service.  Should the applicant provide further documentation to substantiate his eligibility for the KSM or the KDSM, we would be willing to reconsider his petition.  In view of the above, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-01381 in Executive Session on 18 July 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 17 Apr 07, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 May 07.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Jun 07.