ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  16 September 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170015547


APPLICANT REQUESTS: 

*	a review of his records to determine his eligibility for the Korea Defense Service 
Medal
*	if eligible, request issuance of the medal and a correction of his discharge 
document

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214 (Armed Force of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge)

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 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.  Service medals and awards are not issued by the Army Board for Correction of 
Military Records (ABCMR).  However, the applicant may obtain his medals by 
submitting his request in writing to:  National Personnel Records Center, ATTN: Army 
Reference Branch, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri  63138.  This issue will not be 
further addressed in this Record of Proceedings.

3.  The applicant states, per section 543, National Defense Authorization Act, 2003, The 
Korea Defense Service Medal was authorized for award to members of the Armed 
Forces of the United States who have served on active duty in support of the defense of 
the Republic of Korea for the period of service from 28 July 1954 to a date to be 
determined by the Secretary of Defense.  He served in Korea for a period of 16 months 
during 1957 to 1958 and was never awarded the medal upon his return from Korea or at 
the time of his discharge from the military.

4.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 September 1956.

5.  He was honorably discharged on 24 June 1958.  His DD Form 214 shows his foreign 
and/or sea service as 1 year, 4 months, and 9 days.  However, it does not specify 
where this Foreign Service was performed. 

6.  His DD Form 214 shows his last duty assignment and major command as 
Headquarters Battery 10th Artillery BT Army Post Office (APO) 970.  APO 970 was 
associated with Army installations assigned to Korea.

7.  The Department of the Army Lineage and Honors shows the Headquarters and 
Headquarters Battery, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command re-designated on 
20 March 1958 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 10th Artillery Group and 
inactivated on 25 January 1959 while in Korea.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all evidence provided, the Board found relief was 
warranted.  The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered.  His record shows he 
was assigned to Korea, which authorized him to be awarded the KDSM; however, his 
DD Form 214 does not reflect he was awarded the medal.  The Board agreed to add the 
award to his separation document.

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 the Korea Defense 
Service Medal to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 24 June 1958.

	  
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 Records 
(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), prescribes Department of the Army 
policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military 
awards.  Paragraph 2-20 (Korea Defense Service Medal) specifies, is authorized for 
award to service members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have served 
on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea.  The period of 
eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170015547
	
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