RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-BC-2011-02887 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The KDSM was omitted by mistake and he has been trying to locate documentation of his temporary duty (TDY) service for approximately five years. In support of his request, the applicant provides a letter from his Veterans Service Office, and a copy of AF Form 183a, Security Classification, Morning Report Part II, dated 15 Oct 59. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center; therefore, only a limited record exists. According to the applicant’s available records, the applicant served on active duty from 11 Jan 56 to 13 Jun 60, and was credited with 3 years, 9 months, and 7 days of Foreign Service. The Department of Defense (DoD) approved the KDSM for award to members of the United States Armed Forces as recognition for military service in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the surrounding waters from 28 Jul 54 to a date to be 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 ROK, and the contiguous waters out to 12 nautical miles, and all airspace above all the land area of Korea and its water areas. To be eligible for the KDSM, personnel must have been physically present in the areas above for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet one of the following criteria: 1. Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility (AOE). 2. Killed, wounded, or injured in the line of duty and required medical evacuation from the AOE. 3. While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the AOE in support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states the applicant’s supporting documentation states he and three other airmen departed for eight days to Kunsan Air Base, Korea for the purpose of performing monitor missions in support of Pacific Air Force (PACAF) Operations. Travel vouchers and travel orders officially verifying the applicant’s service in Korea and the exact dates he was in the AOE was not provided or located in his records. Based on the applicant’s supporting documentation he did not serve in the AOE for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 23 Sep 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received (Exhibit C). _________________________________________________________________ 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 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. 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 Docket Number BC-2011-02887 in Executive Session on 4 Nov 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-2011-02887 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Jul 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 1 Sep 11 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Sep 11. Panel Chair