RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04464 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The periods of duty that qualified him for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) should also qualify him for the KDSM. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 17 Jun 67. On 10 Jun 71, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 7 years, 11 months, and 24 days of active service, including 3 years, 3 months, and 28 days of foreign service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application is 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 relief, indicating sufficient evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. The KDSM is a service medal that recognizes the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the United States Armed Forces who have served or are serving in the Republic of Korea since the signing of the cease-fire agreement in Jul 53, which established the demilitarized zone. Personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area of eligibility are considered eligible for the award as long as the basic time criteria is met. Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that operated within the area of eligibility and must have been physically deployed for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days or meet one of the following criteria: was engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility or was killed, wounded, or injured in the line of duty and required medical evacuation from the area of eligibility, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility. Service members qualified for the AFEM by reasons of service between 1 Oct 66 and 30 Jun 74, in an area for which the KDSM was subsequently authorized are eligible for both the AFEM and the KDSM as a one-time exception to policy. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were unable to verify award of the KDSM. However, his AF Form 910, Performance Report, covering 14 May 68 to 13 May 69, indicated he had been deployed to the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing’s forward operating location. Considering the wing’s mission during the applicant’s period of assignment was providing air defense and reconnaissance missions over Japan and South Korea, it is more likely than not that the applicant’s AFEM was for service in Korea. Therefore, they recommend approval for the award of the KDSM. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 25 Feb 15, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). 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 the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) 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 (KDSM). The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04464 in Executive Session on 14 Jul 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04464 was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 28 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 31 Dec 14. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Feb 15.