RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-01943 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His foreign service time to South Korea be documented on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. 2. By amendment in the applicant’s rebuttal, he requests to be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He participated in the TEAM SPRIRT Exercise in March of 1980; however, his DD Form 214 does not reflect his service in Korea. The exercise only lasted 10-12 days, but he was on temporary duty for over 45 days prior to, during, and after the exercise was completed. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214. His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 20 Feb 79 and was honorably discharged after serving 4 years on active duty. KDSM Criteria: 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 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, 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. KSM Criteria: The KSM was awarded for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 under and of the following conditions: Within the territorial limits of Korea in waters immediately adjacent thereto: or with a unit under the operational control of the Commander-in- Chief, Far East, other than those units within the territorial limits of Korea, which has been designated by the Commander-in- Chief, Far East, as having directly supported the military efforts in Korea; or was furnished an individual certificate by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, testifying to material contribution made in direct support of the military efforts in Korea. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. After reviewing the applicant’s Master Personnel Records (MPR) and documentation submitted, they were unable to verify any time served in the Republic of Korea. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 1. He submits a Letter of Appreciation, dated 14 Apr 80, which commends him for his participation in TEAM SPIRIT 1980 at Kimhae Air Base, Republic of Korea. He sent the letter to his parents shortly after receiving it. He went to Korea well in advance of the scheduled exercises and remained there until Mar 80. 2. He believes he is entitled to the KDSM for his service in Korea. The KDSM is retroactive to the cease fire of the Korean War and is granted for any service of 30 days or more on the Korean peninsula. If he is awarded the KDSM, he will be allowed to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ _ 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. However, the Board would like to point out if the applicant were able to provide specific supporting documentation such as travel orders, vouchers, or an eyewitness account of his service in Korea, he could apply for reconsideration. Consequently, 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-01943 in Executive Session on 7 Jan 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-01943 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Apr 13, w/atch. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 13 May 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 May 13. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 21 May 13. 4 5