RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03850 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

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

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He should be awarded the KDSM for his dedicated service in Korea 
during the Vietnam Conflict. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant submits copies of his 
DD Forms 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge. 

 

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

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 30 March 
1963 to 8 January 1971. He was credited with 7 years, 10 months 
and 5 days of active duty service with 2 years, 4 months and 12 
days of foreign and/or sea service. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states after a thorough 
review of the applicant’s military records, they could confirm he 
was assigned in Japan from 18 September 1963 to 21 January 1965, 
Vietnam from 22 August 1966 to 13 August 1967 and Japan again 
from 14 August 1967 to 28 July 1969. There was no mention of any 
time served in Korea in his records. Based on lack of evidence 
they cannot confirm any time served in Korea. 

 

The DPAPP complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the KDSM is awarded 
to recognize military service in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and 


the surrounding waters after 28 July 1954 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. 

 

After a thorough review of the applicant’s military personnel 
records, they were unable to locate official documentation 
confirming the applicant’s assignment to the ROK. 

 

The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 6 January 2012, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no 
response. 

 

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing 
law or regulations. 

 

2. The application was timely filed. 

 

3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. The applicant’s 
contentions are duly noted; however, after reviewing the evidence 
of record we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air 
Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale 
as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not provided 
evidence showing his entitlement to the KDSM. Therefore, we find 
no basis to recommend granting the relief sought. 

 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and the 
application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of 
newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this 
application. 


 

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-03850 in Executive Session on 27 March 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-03850 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 September 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 17 November 2011. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 22 December 2011. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 January 2012.