RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00372
		COUNSEL: NONE
			HEARING DESIRED:  NO


APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The following awards be added to his DD Form 214, Report of 
Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States:

Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).

Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was awarded the PUC and KDSM; however, neither was added to his 
DD Form 214.

The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider 
his untimely application because he is entitled to the 
aforementioned awards.

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of a 
memorandum from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) dated 
18 September 2003, which reflects he is authorized the Republic of 
Korea PUC.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 26 December 
1951 to 5 December 1955.  His DD Form 214 reflects one year, and 
two days of Foreign and/or Sea Service.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial.  The KDSM is awarded to service 
members who were permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a 
unit that operated within all land areas of Korea, and the 
contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces 
above the land and water areas, and must have been physically 
deployed in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 
60 nonconsecutive days between 28 July 1954 and a future date to 
be determined by the Secretary of Defense.  There is no record 
available and no documentation provided to verify the applicant 
was in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or 
60 nonconsecutive days for award of the KDSM.  

The Republic of Korea PUC was presented to units of the United 
Nations Command for service in Korea under the same conditions as 
would be required for the award of the PUC of the United States 
between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1953.  Although the NPRC notified 
the applicant that he was authorized the Republic of Korea PUC, 
DPSID is unable to verify the applicant was assigned/attached to a 
unit that received award of the Republic of Korea PUC.  To grant 
relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established 
by DoD Manual 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards.

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 15 May 2014, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded 
to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days.  As of 
this date, no response has been received by this office (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.  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 the 
rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion the applicant 
has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Should the 
applicant provide notarized statements from individuals who can 
attest that he was assigned or attached to a unit that received 
award of the Republic of Korea PUC or that he was in the area of 
eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days for award 
of the KDSM, we would be willing to reconsider his request.  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 this application in 
Executive Session on 20 November 2014, under the provisions of AFI 
36-2603:

      , Panel Chair
      , Member
      , Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR BC-2014-
00372 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 23 January 2014, w/atch.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 11 April 2014.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 May 2014.