IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 June 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190004496 APPLICANT REQUESTS: a. correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer of Discharge) to show award of the: * Army Good Conduct Medal * Korean Service Medal with one silver service star and two bronze service stars instead of the Korean Service Medal with one bronze service star b. issuance of his awards, and c. a copy of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), dated 11 February 2019 * Self-authored letter, undated * DD Form 345 (Armed Forces Liberty Pass) dated 20 February 1953 * General Headquarters Far East Command Permanent Pass Number 2635, undated * 71st Signal Service Battalion Duty Pass Number 156, undated * Korean Service Medal Information * Headquarters, Far East Command Signal Service Battalion, 8235th Army Unit, Letter Orders Number 22, dated 21 July 1953 * Headquarters, 304th Signal Battalion (Operation), Eighth United States Army Certificate, dated 12 September 1953 * DD Form 214 * DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), dated 8 January 2013 * Korean War Zone Map * State of Illinois, Department of Veterans Affairs routing sheet, dated 11 February 2019 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States 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's complete military and medical 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 the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. The case is being considered using reconstructed records and the evidence provided by the applicant. 3. The applicant states: a. His DD Form 215 shows his award of the Korean Service Medal with one bronze service star. b. He served 30 months in the Korean war zone from June 1951 to 25 December 1953 and he participated in six campaigns. If a bronze service star is given for each campaign and a silver service star for every five campaigns, he should have the Korean Service Medal with one silver bronze service star and one bronze service star. He should have a total of seven battle stars c. He was assigned to the 8235th Army Unit, APO 500, while serving in Korea. d. He desires a copy of Army Regulation 600-8-22 for his file should his request be denied. 4. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 8 February 1951. 5. The complete dates he served in Korea are not available. 6. Headquarters, Far East Command Signal Service Battalion, 8235th Army Unit, Letter Orders Number 22, dated 21 July 1953, shows the applicant was on temporary duty for an indefinite period to K-16 in connection with military activities. 7. Headquarters, Munsan-Ni Provisional Command, Letter of Appreciation, dated 7 September 1953, shows the applicant was assigned to the 8235th Army Unit, Far East Command Signal Service Battalion from 21 July 1953 to 7 September 1953. 8. Headquarters, 304th Signal Battalion (Operation), Eighth United States Army Certificate, dated 12 September 1953, shows the applicant was on temporary to this organization from 21 July 1953 to 12 September 1953. 9. Headquarters, Far East Command Signal Service Battalion, 8235th Army Unit, Special Orders Number 221, dated 24 December 1953, shows the applicant was transferred from the 8042nd Army Unit back to the United States for release from active duty as authorized by 90th Headquarters Company Administrative Memorandum, dated 8 September 1953. 10. On 23 January 1954, he was honorably released from active duty. His DD Form 214 shows in: a. item 24 (Total Net Service Completed for Pay Purposes) – 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days, b. item 26 (Foreign and/or Sea Service) – 2 years, 6 months, and 9 days, c. item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – * Korean Service Medal * United Nations Service Medal 11. His DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 18 January 2000, and issued by officials from the National Personnel Records Center, shows he was authorized award of the Army Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Officials from the National Personnel Records Center directed mailing of both awards to the applicant. 12. On 6 November 2012 and in ABCMR Docket Number AR20120005429, the ABCMR directed his DD Form 214 be corrected to show he participated in one campaign during his service in Korea which authorized the award of one bronze service star to his previously-issued Korean Service Medal. 13. On 8 October 2013, he was issued a DD Form 215 to show his award of the following: * National Defense Service Medal * one bronze service star to his previously-issued Korean Service Medal * Meritorious Unit Commendation 14. HIs records are void of orders awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that partial relief is warranted. 2. On 18 January 2000, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) issued a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards) showing that the applicant was authorized the Army Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) and National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), and directed mailing of both awards to the applicant. Accordingly, a DD Form 215 should be issued to add the GCMDL and NDSM to the applicant’s DD Form 214. In as much as the NPRC directed mailing both medals to the applicant in 2000, this Board would not direct reissue of the awards. In accordance with award replacement procedures posted by the Army Awards and Decorations Branch, Human Resources Command (HRC), on the HRC website https://www.hrc.army.mil under “replacement medals,” Army Retirees and Veterans who have terminated their service prior to October 1, 2002, must submit requests for replacement medals to the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. 3. The applicant contends that he served in Korea from June 1951 to 25 December 1953. However, available records show that the applicant was assigned in Korea from 21 July 1953 to 25 December 1953. There is no documentary records to show that the applicant served in Korea from June 1951 to 20 July 1953. 4. During the period of 21 July 1953 to 25 December 1953, there was one Korean campaign, the Summer 1953 campaign, 1 May-27 July 1953. Accordingly, the applicant is authorized one bronze service star on his Korean Service Medal, which he has. There is no evidence to support award of a silver service star (for 4 campaigns) and 2 bronze service stars for his Korean Service Award. 5. Providing a copy of Army Regulation 600-8-22 is not within the scope of the Board. The applicant may view or print a copy of the regulation from the Army Publishing Directorate, Publications, Administrative, Army Regulations. ? BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned by correcting his DD Form 214 to show that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to: a. Award of a Silver Service Star with two Bronze Service Stars for the applicant’s Korean Service Award. b. Issuing a Good Conduct Medal award and service stars. c. Providing a copy of Army Regulation 600-8-22. 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, United States 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 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 provides Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. a. The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. Any one of the following periods of continuous enlisted active Federal military service qualifies for award: (1) Each 3 years completed on or after 27 August 1940. (2) For first award only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946. (3) For first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year. (4) For first award only, upon termination of service, on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 1 year when final separation was by reason of physical disability incurred in line of duty. (5) For first award only, for those individuals who died before completing 1 year of active Federal service if the death occurred in the line of duty. b. The Korean Service Medal is awarded for service in Korea between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. One bronze service star is authorized for each campaign under the following conditions: (1) Assigned or attached to and present for duty with a unit during the period in which it participated in combat. (2) Under orders in the combat zone and in addition meets any of the following requirements: * Awarded a combat decoration. * Furnished a certificate by a Commanding General of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the Soldier actually participated in combat. * Served at a normal post of duty (as contrasted to occupying the status of an inspector, observer, or visitor). * Aboard a vessel other than in a passenger status and furnished a certificate by the home port commander of the vessel that the Soldier served in the combat zone. (3) A Silver Service Star is authorized in place of 4 bronze service stars. (4) The Korean War Campaigns were as follows: UN Defensive 27 June-15 September 1950 UN Offensive 16 September-2 November 1950 CCF Intervention 3 November 1950-24 January 1951 First UN Counteroffensive 25 January-21 April 1951 CCF Spring Offensive 22 April-8 July 1951 UN Summer-Fall Offensive 9 July-27 November 1951 Second Korean Winter 28 November 1951-30 April 1952 Korea, Summer-Fall 1952 1 May-30 November 1952 Third Korean Winter 1 December 1952-30 April 1953 Korea, Summer 1953 1 May-27 July 1953 //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190004496 5 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1