RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-02989 

(DECEASED)				COUNSEL:  NONE

(APPLICANT)				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His late brother’s record be corrected to reflect award of the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He would like for his brother’s record to reflect award of the KDSM.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The former service member’s military records were apparently destroyed in 1973 by fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

According to available records, the former service member served on active duty from 21 August 1958 through 18 October 1962.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  

The KDSM 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 waters areas.  To be eligible for the KDSM, the service members must have been physically present in the stated areas for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.

Without official documentation such as, paid Travel Vouchers or other documentation verifying the former service member was physically present in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, his eligibility for the KDSM cannot be verified. After a thorough review of the available military personnel records, AFPC/DP3SP was unable to verify the former service member served in Korea.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 28 June 2016, 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 timely filed. 

3.  Insufficient 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; however, we 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 former service member has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  The personal sacrifice the decedent endured for our country is noted; however, insufficient evidence has been presented to warrant award of the KDSM.  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-2015-02989 in Executive Session on 25 May 2017, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 Jul 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 3 Jun 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Jun 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.