PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           13 August 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002066442

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller 		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ted s. Kanamine		Member	
	Ms. Lana E. McGlynn 		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show award of the Korean War Service Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was awarded the Korean War Service Medal and would like his discharge document corrected to show this medal.  In support of his application, he submits a Letter of Appreciation, dated 25 June 2000, from the President of the Republic of Korea.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 15 February 1950, served in Korea and was honorably discharged on 1 April 1953. 

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Korean War Service Medal as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of a Letter of Appreciation, dated 25 June 2000, from the President of the Republic of Korea, which pays tribute to Korean War veterans on the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

7.  The Government of the Republic of Korea issued the Korean War Service Medal to pay tribute to eligible Korean War veterans for their historic endeavors to preserve the freedom of the Republic of Korea and the free world.  On 
20 August 1999, the Department of Defense approved acceptance and wear of this foreign award.  It is authorized for award to service members who served in Korea between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953.  

8.  The Department of Defense has assigned responsibility to the Department of the Air Force for distribution of the Korean War Service Medal to eligible veterans of all services.  When the Korean War Service Medal is authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign unit award to his DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in Korea between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953.

2.  In support of his claim, the applicant provided a copy of a Letter of Appreciation, dated 25 June 2000, from the President of the Republic of Korea.  

3.  Based on the foregoing, it appears the Korean War Service Medal was authorized to the applicant by the Department of the Air Force.  Therefore, the Board determined that there is sufficient evidence on which to correct the applicant’s DD Form 214 to show award of the Korean War Service Medal.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Korean War Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

FNE____  TSK____  LEM_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Fred N. Eichorn______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002066442	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020813	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.