RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03748 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He is entitled to the KDSM due to his deployment in Korea for a 
six month period in 1969. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
AF Form 626, Request and Authorization of Temporary Duty (TDY) 
and the AF Form 1098, Personnel Action Request. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is 
included in Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force 
from 2 Aug 68 to 31 Jul 72. 

 

The Department of Defense approved the KDSM in Feb 04 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 

 

_______________________________________________________________ 

 

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 were unable to verify his entitlement to the KDSM. 

 

The Directorate of Assignments determined the applicant was 
present at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea from 28 Aug 69 to 
9 Sep 69 for a total of 13 days, which does not meet the 
requirement for 30 consecutive days and has determined the 
applicant is not eligible for the KDSM. 

 


According to AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations 
Program, no individual is automatically entitled to an award 
upon completion of an operational TDY or departure for an 
assignment. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 9 Dec 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 a six month period in 1969 and 
should be awarded the KDSM. We note the applicant provides TDY 
orders to Homestead AFB with further TDY to Korea for 179 days. 
In addition, his airman performance report ending 12 July 1970, 
states while he was TDY to Korea he completed his five skill 
level in four months. Although the evidence is not conclusive, 
we find it 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 Docket Number 
BC-2011-03748 in Executive Session on 18 Jan 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 


 

The Board voted to correct the record as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-
2011-03748 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Aug 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR dated 23 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Dec 11.