RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03913 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He deployed to Korea during the period Oct 01 to Dec 01, but the deployment is not reflected in his military records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 31 May 00. On 26 May 02, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, with a Narrative Reason for Separation of “Hardship,” and was credited with 2 years, 2 months, and 26 days of active service. On 12 Dec 14, AFPC/DPAPP provided the applicant a boots-on-the-ground letter confirming his service in Alaska and the Republic of Korea. On 29 Jan 15, AFPC/DPSIDR directed the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to change “Air Force Outstanding Unit Award” to read “Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/1BOLC).” The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is included at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice. 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 waters 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 responsibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days between 28 Jul 54 and a future date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. A thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record did not reveal documentation indicating the applicant was awarded the KDSM. However, the applicant’s AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (EPR), covering the period from 31 May 01 through 31 Jan 02 states he “Deployed to Kwang Ju AB, Republic of Korea, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM,” but does not identify the dates of the deployment. In addition, the applicant submitted statements from two members of his unit stating the applicant deployed to Korea with their squadron approximately during the period 12 Oct 01 through 22 Dec 01. Although no official documentation verifies the applicant qualified for the KSDM, given the supporting documentation from eye witnesses, and the statement on his EPR indicating he deployed to Korea, it is more likely than not that he deployed to Korea for more than the minimum of 30 days required to qualify for the KDSM A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 23 Feb 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DPSID and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03913 in Executive Session on 9 Jul 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 Apr 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 29 Jan 15, w/atch. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Feb 15.