RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-00999
		
  					COUNSEL:  NONE

					HEARING DESIRED:  NO



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She served in Korea from March 1985 to March 1986, but the KDSM 
was not authorized at the time.  
The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 13 Jul 83, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.
On 31 Oct 86, the applicant received an honorable discharge.  
She was credited with 3 years, 3 months and 19 days of active 
service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C 
and D.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends approval for the award of the KDSM.  The 
applicant’s official military personnel record does not contain 
evidence assigning her to Korea, or verifying her inclusive 
dates of service in Korea, nor is there evidence establishing 30 
consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of service in the area of 
eligibility.  However, per the applicant’s medical records, it 
is clear she was in Korea on the dates of treatment at the Seoul 
and Osan Clinics, and it is almost certain the applicant’s dates 
of service in Korea begin at least on her first appointment on 
21 March 1985 and lasted at least until her last appointment on 
24 Feb 86, which is sufficient to qualify her for the KDSM. 

The Department of Defense approved the KDSM in February 2004 to 
be given as recognition for military service in the Republic of 
Korea and the surrounding waters after 28 Jul 54 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 non-
consecutive 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; or while participating as a regularly 
assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out, 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.  

Based on review of the applicant’s official military personnel 
record, DPSID was able to determine the below Air Force Medal 
and/or Ribbon should have been awarded during the applicant’s 
service from 13 Jul 83 to 31 Oct 86 and was not reflected in her 
records.  Upon final Board decision, administrative correct of 
the applicant’s official military personnel record will be 
completed by AFPC/DPSOR:

  *Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education 
Graduate Ribbon (NCOPMEGR) 

The complete 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 6 Mar 15 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.  Sufficient 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 and 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 been the victim of an error or injustice.  
Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as 
indicated below.	


THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show she was 
awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). 


All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-00999 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 24 Feb 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Jun 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Mar 15.