PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:     

	BOARD DATE:          23 OCTOBER 2003                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2003086937

	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	
	Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Joann H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Member	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		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 that his record be corrected to show award of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.  

3.  The applicant includes with his request a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation), and copies of documents indicating that he received those awards. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered on active duty on         24 January 1951, served in Korea with Company F, 279th Infantry Regiment, and was released from active duty in the rank of sergeant on 23 October 1952.  His DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with one bronze service star, the United Nations Service Medal, the Occupational Medal (Japan), the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Silver Star.  He was wounded in action on 10 July 1952; however, his DD Form 214 does not show award of the Purple Heart, nor does it indicate award of the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.

5.  Included with his request is a 30 December 1952 letter from Headquarters, North Carolina Military District forwarding to the applicant documents showing that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.  A certificate shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism in ground combat in Korea on 9 July 1952.  The certificate was signed by the Adjutant General, Far East Command on 15 October 1952.  

6.  Included with his request is a 12 May 1953 letter orders showing that The Adjutant General awarded the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds received in Korea on 10 July 1952.  A certificate awarding him the Purple Heart shows that he was wounded in action on 10 July 1952.

7.  The Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register shows that the 279th Infantry Regiment was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its actions while the applicant was assigned to that organization.

8.  The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.
 
9.  The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. 

10.  As a matter of information, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, 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 to eligible US veterans of the Korean War, or their surviving next of kin.  The medal is provided at no cost to the veterans.

11.  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 or their surviving next of kin.  To apply, veterans must provide a copy of their discharge paper (DD Form 214) to the Awards and Decorations Section, Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714.  A sample request form is being provided to the applicant.  Once the Korean War Service Medal has been 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 award to his  DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was wounded in action and was awarded the Purple Heart.  He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism.  The award of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device should be reflected in his records.

2.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.  

3.  The applicant served his country faithfully and honorably.  He is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.  He is also entitled to award of the National Defense 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 Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. 

BOARD VOTE:  

__JHL __  __MKP __  __AAO __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___Joann H. Langston_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003086937	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20031023	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.