IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 23 February 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110015997 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to reflect all of his awards and decorations, to include his Parachutist Badge. 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 does not show all of his awards and decorations. He states he completed the 3-week Airborne Training at Fort Benning, GA. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed that the applicant’s records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 3. The applicant is a Korean War veteran. His DD Form 214 shows: * he served from 25 January 1952 through 24 January 1955 * he was honorably released from active duty as a sergeant (SGT)/E-5 * he completed the 3-week Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning * he held military occupational specialty (MOS) 1666 (Medical Aidman) * he served in Korea with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, but his dates of assignment cannot be determined from the available records * in item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaigns Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the: * Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars * United Nations Service Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Medical Badge 4. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states award of the basic Parachutist Badge requires that an individual must have satisfactorily completed the prescribed proficiency tests while assigned or attached to an airborne unit or the Airborne Department of the Infantry School or have participated in at least one combat parachute jump. 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the Republic of Korea War Service Medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in Korea and adjacent waters between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953. The service must have been performed, in part, while on permanent assignment or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days within the territorial limits of Korea or the waters immediately adjacent thereto. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant completed the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show the Parachutist Badge. 2. The applicant served during a qualifying period for the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this award. 3. In view of the foregoing, the applicant's DD Form 214 should be corrected as recommended below. BOARD VOTE: ____X____ ____X____ ____X____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding to item 27 of his DD Form 214 the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the Parachutist Badge. ___________X____________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110015997 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110015997 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1