RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04920
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in Korea from Jun 58 to May 59.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s military personnel records were located in the 
area most heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel 
Records Center (NPRC) in 1973.  The applicant provided a copy of 
his DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, which 
indicates he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 28 Jan 57 and 
served on active duty until he was furnished a honorable 
discharge on 9 Sep 60.  He was released from active duty and 
transferred to the US Air Force Reserve and credited with a 
total of 3 years, 7 months and 12 days of active service, 
including 11 months and 10 days of foreign service.

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THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial.  DPSID states that there is no 
documentation verifying the applicant served in Korea; 
therefore, he is not eligible based on the governing Department 
of Defense (DoD) instructions.  They noted that after a thorough 
review of the applicant's limited official military personnel 
record they were unable to verify award of the Korean Defense 
Service Medal.  The applicant's military personnel record does 
not contain any documentation to substantiate boots on ground in 
Korea.

The Korean Defense Service Medal is awarded to service members 
who were 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 
Korean Defense Service Medal, personnel must have been 
physically present in the stated areas for 30 consecutive days 
or 60 nonconsecutive days.

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He was assigned to a radio squadron at Osan AFB [sic], Korea for 
11 months.  He does not believe his organization was classified 
even though they used a cover, if asked what they did.  The 
applicant provides a letter from a former servicemember 
indicating that they served together at Osan Air Base, Korea.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his 
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Certificate of Eligibility 
for a mortgage application, a letter from a former servicemember 
and other various documents.

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit E.

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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.  Should the 
applicant provide additional information to support his claim, 
e.g., copy of orders and travel vouchers, we would be willing to 
reconsider his request.   In view of the above and in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, 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 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-2012-04920 in Executive Session on 6 Aug 13, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Sep 12, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Available Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 4 Jan 13.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jan 13.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 21 Jan 13, w/atchs