ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	BOARD DATE:  8 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170008566

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  an update of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the 
United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show:

*	Korean Service Medal (KSM)
*	Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar (M1)

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, 
United States Code (USC), section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction 
of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and 
determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 

2.  The applicant states his military records were burned in 1973 in Austin, TX.

3.  The applicant provides a letter from NPRC, dated 22 March 2017, which states 
they have no authority to review and approve amendments or corrections to military 
records.  This is a function of the Review Boards of the military departments.

4.  Based on the available information in the applicant’s service record:

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 16 March 1948 for 3 years in the 
rank/grade of private first class (PFC)/E3.

	b.  His record is void of any documentation to support he served in Korea other 
than his time at Camp Stoneman, a military facility located in Pittsburg, CA which 
housed a military facility that served as a staging area for troops for the Pacific 
Theater of Operations during the Korean War.  

   c.  According to his DA Form 20 (Soldier’s Qualification Card), created 
approximately 16 March 1951 and closed out on 26 February 1954, shows the 
applicant was awarded or authorized:

*	item 28 (remarks):  Korean Service Medal
*	item 29 (record of current service): 28 October 1951 to 12 November 
1951, 6212 ASU Camp Stoneman, CA

	d.  He had continuous honorable service from 16 March 1948 to 26 February 
1954.

	e.  On 26 February 1954, the applicant was honorably discharged.  He 
completed 5 years, 11 months, and 11 days of total net service.

	f.  He had an approximate 8-year break in service and joined the RA on 
13 August 1962.

	g.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), which was dated and signed 
by the applicant on 29 September 1965, states he was awarded or authorized: item 
41 (awards and decorations): Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M1).

	h.  On 8 February 1966, his DD Form 214 shows he was discharged with an 
under honorable conditions characterization of service.  He completed 9 years, 
5 months and 7 days of active service.  

5.  By regulation AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the KSM is awarded for 
qualifying service in the theater of operations between 27 June 1950 and 
27 July 1954.  The Soldier must have been on permanent assignment, on TDY for 
30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or in active combat against the 
enemy.

6.  By regulation AR 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents), enter 
decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citation, and campaign ribbons 
awarded or authorized during period covered by the DD Form 214.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the 
relief was warranted.  His DA Form 20 clearly shows he was authorized the KSM 
based upon his prior military service in Korea.  Other documents also support his 
request for the marksmanship badge.  Board members voted to grant relief. 

  


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

X	:X	:X	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 his DD Form 
214 ending on 8 February 1966, the Korean Service Medal (KSM) and the 
Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1).


	  
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.

REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military 
records must be filed within three years after discovery of the alleged error or 
injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military 
Record (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the three-year 
statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to 
do so.



2.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Korean Service Medal is 
awarded for qualifying service in the theater of operations between 27 June 1950 
and 27 July 1954.  The Soldier must have been on permanent assignment, on TDY 
for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or in active combat against the 
enemy.

3.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents) enter 
decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citation, and campaign ribbons 
awarded or authorized during period covered by the DD Form 214.

NOTHING FOLLOWS

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170008566

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