RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03649 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He is entitled to the KDSM due to his service in Korea for more than 60 nonconsecutive days in 1956 and 1957 while serving in Japan as a crewmember with the 483rd Troop Carrier Group. At the time of his retirement the KDSM was not yet authorized and was not included in his military records. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty; Temporary Duty (TDY) orders, and a travel voucher. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force from 17 Aug 54 to 30 Jun 76. He retired in the grade of colonel. He was assigned to the 815th Troop Carrier Squadron from 22 Jan 56 to 17 May 58. The Department of Defense approved the Korean Defense Service Medal (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 nonconsecutive 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 While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, 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. _______________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that based upon review of the applicant’s military records and the documentation provided they believe an injustice may exist. However, without supporting documentation, they must recommend disapproval. DPSIDR states the applicant provided official documentation indicating he was either physically located in, or in flight over, Korea for 61 nonconsecutive days. However, except for three days documented by a travel voucher, the documentation consists entirely of travel orders. Travel orders without supporting documentation are not acceptable as proof of the applicant’s presence in Korea because they might have been revoked or amended. No other official documentation was located in the applicant’s military personnel records verifying service in Korea. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 10 Nov 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 D. ________________________________________________________________ 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 an injustice warranting award of the KDSM. After reviewing the documentation submitted, we believe, the applicant has provided sufficient evidence to support award of the KDSM. In this respect, the applicant contends he served in Korea for more than 60 nonconsecutive days in 1956 and 1957 while serving in Japan as a crewmember with the 483rd Troop Carrier Group and should be awarded the KDSM. We note the applicant provided official documentation indicating he was either physically located in, or in flight over, Korea for 61 nonconsecutive days. Although not conclusive, we find the evidence sufficient to resolve any doubt on this issue in favor of the applicant. Accordingly, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 20 Mar 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC- 2011-03649: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Sep 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR dated 24 Oct 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Nov 11.