RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01390 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He flew hundreds of missions to and from Korea between 1972 and 1993. The applicant does not provide any supporting documentation. His complete submission is at Exhibit A. ___________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Air Force Reserve and was progressively promoted to the grade of master sergeant (E-7), having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 24 May 78. He retired on 3 Oct 93. The applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, block 13 reflects he was awarded the KSM. KDSM Criteria: The Department of Defense approved the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM) in February 2004 to be given as recognition for military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding waters after 28 July 1954 and ending on such a future date as determined by the Secretary of Defense. Individuals must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating or serving on all the land area of the Republic of Korea, and the contiguous waters out to 12 nautical miles, and all airspace above the stated land and water areas. To be eligible for the KDSM, personnel must have been physically present in the stated areas for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or must meet one of the following: • Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the areas of eligibility • Be killed, wounded, or injured in the line of duty and required medical evacuation from the area of eligibility • While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as 1 day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement. KSM Criteria: The KSM was awarded for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 under and of the following conditions: Within the territorial limits of Korea in waters immediately adjacent thereto: or with a unit under the operational control of the Commander-in- Chief, Far East, other than those units within the territorial limits of Korea, which has been designated by the Commander-in- Chief, Far East, as having directly supported the military efforts in Korea; or was furnished an individual certificate by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, testifying to material contribution made in direct support of the military efforts in Korea. ___________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states that they requested additional documentation such as travel vouchers; evaluation reports; letters of evaluation; decorations; or other official military documents that reflects travel to Korea with the inclusive dates; however, the applicant did not respond to their request. Therefore, without such documents, DPAPP cannot support his request. The DPAPP complete evaluation is at Exhibit B. ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 1 Oct 10 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no 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 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. Therefore, 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-2010-01390 in Executive Session on 21 Oct 10, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 Apr 10. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 17 Sep 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Oct 10.