ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

                 

                  BOARD DATE:  8 January 2019     

                  DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170014739

APPLICANT REQUSTS:  Korea Defense [Service] Medal. 

APPLICANT’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)

FACTS: 

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. 
Code, 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 he was not issued the medal because it was approved after his 
discharge. 

3.  Review of the applicant’s service records shows:

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 18 June 1981.

	b.  He served with the 597th Maintenance Company, Fort Hood, TX, as shown on 
his DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record).

	c.  He was honorably released from active duty on 17 June 1985.  He completed 
4 years of active service, of which 1 year and 2 days was foreign service.  He was 
awarded or authorized the Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas 
Service Ribbon, and Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar as 
shown on his DD Forms 214.

	d.  By regulation, the Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to 
service members who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the 
Republic of Korea. Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized 
to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or for 60 nonconsecutive 
days.  The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the 
Secretary of Defense. 
  
BOARD DISCUSSION:
After reviewing the application and all supporting evidence, the Board found that relief 
was not warranted.  Although his DD214 shows he had overseas service, the 
applicant’s 2-1 and other military documents lack any evidence of where that overseas 
service and how long that overseas service was conducted.  Because of that, the Board 
found that granting the applicant’s request could not be recommended.  
BOARD VOTE:
Member 1	Member 2	Member 3
:	      :	      :	Full Grant 
:	      :	      :	Partial Grant 
:	      :	      :	Formal Hearing Grant 
X	     X	      X	Deny
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 
The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or 
injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient 
as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.

												 
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, 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.  

2.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Korea Defense Service 
Medal is 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.  
The area of eligibility (1) encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea and the 
contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles and (2) all air spaces above the land and 
water area.  The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the 
Secretary of Defense.  Service members must have been assigned, attached, or 
mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or for 60 
nonconsecutive days or meet several criteria including:  (1) be engaged in combat 
during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility or (2) be 
wounded or injured in the line of duty and required medical evacuation from the area 
of eligibility.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	                                                AR20170014739
	 	
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