RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00405 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect service in South Korea and award of the Korean Service Medal (KSM) as well as any other awards and decorations that were inadvertently omitted. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was assigned to Osan Air Base, South Korea from 22 Oct 60 to 21 Nov 61 as an Air Policeman. It was his first assignment after Technical Training. His DD Form 214 does not accurately capture his service on the Korean Peninsula. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 22 Apr 68. On 28 Feb 81, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge, and was credited with 20 years, 2 months, and 23 days of active service. The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflect the award of the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons: Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic Of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. A review of the applicant’s Master Personnel Records and documentation submitted failed to provide any substantiated Foreign Service time in Korea. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The applicant’s dates of service in Korea are past the award inclusive dates for award of the KSM. The KSM is awarded to personnel who were assigned or attached to combat or service units designated by the Commander, Far East Air Forces, in general orders for service within the Korean Theater or adjacent areas between 27 June 50 and 27 July 54. The term “Korean Theater” as used in this instruction includes the areas that encompass North and South Korea, Korean waters, the air over North and South Korea, and the air over Korean waters. Personnel also are considered having participated in an engagement if they were members of a designated combat or service unit in the Korean Theater; a combat or service unit, other than one within the Korean Theater, which was designated by the Commander, Far East Air Force, as having directly supported the military operations in the Korean Theater; or a designated headquarters of the Far East Air Forces that exerted a distinct and contributory effort to the military operations in the Korean Theater. The personnel must have performed the prescribed service while they were on permanent assignment, on TDY with a designated unit or headquarters for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or in actual combat against the enemy, as reflected by an awarded combat decoration or furnished a certificate by a division, comparable, or higher unit commander, a ship, comparable, or higher unit commander, or an Air Force group, comparable, or higher unit commander stating that they actually participated in combat. Was an evader or escapee in the combat zone or recovered from a prisoner-of war status in the combat zone during the time limitations of the campaign. Prisoners of war will not be accorded credit for the time spent in confinement or while otherwise in restraint under enemy control. 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 all the land and water areas of Korea. Personnel must have been physically present in the areas above for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or 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 or 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. They were able to determine that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 27 May 60 and 28 Feb 81 and are not reflected in his records. - Korean Defense Service Medal - Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 15 Sep 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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 warranting correction of the applicant’s records to reflect his entitlement to the KSM. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the KDSM and VSM with three Bronze Service Stars and will correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. 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-2014-00405 in Executive Session on 10 Feb 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Jan 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 10 Mar 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 21 Apr 14. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Sep 14.