ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTIONS OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 September 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190009638 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of transfer or Discharge) to reflect award of the Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM). APPLICANT’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * self-authored statement * DD Form 214 * DA Form 348 (Driver Qualification Record) * order temporarily promoting the applicant to Private First Class (PFC) 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 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 military records are not available for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the NPRC, St. Louis, MO, in 1973. It is believed his records were lost or destroyed in that fire. This case is being considered using the records that were available from the National Personnel Records Center and the documents provided by the applicant. 3. The applicant states, on his application and his self-authored letter, in part: * he requests award of the KDSM from on or about April 1957 through July 1957 * he discovered he should have been awarded the KDSM * he was reviewing his records with an Illinois State Veterans Service Officer * he enlisted in the service on 23 October 1956 * he went to Fort Carson, Colorado for basic training in October 1956 through January 1957 * he had the highest physical fitness test in the company * he went to Fort Jackson, South Carolina from January through March 1957 for Wheel Vehicle school * he departed Fort Jackson on 5 March 1957 * he went to Fort Lewis, Washington Repo Depot in March 1957 * he took a troopship to Inchon, South Korea and finally to Camp Casey * he was with the 7th Infantry Division, 707th Ordnance, Company A, 4th Platoon * the unit was supporting the 57th Field Artillery near the Demilitarized Zone, which was 40 miles south of Seoul * he was promoted to Private E2 and PFC while in Korea * he departed Korea via a troopship from Inchon in July 1958 * he arrived at Fort Lewis, Washington two weeks later * he took a troop train to Fort Sheridan, Illinois on 7 August 1958 * he was released from Active duty in October 1958 * he was discharged on 30 September 1962 * he spent 16 months in Korea mostly as a truck driver 4. The applicant's provides and his service records contain a DD Form 214, which shows he was honorably discharged and: * in item 3a (Grade, Rate or Rank) PFC-E3 (T) * in item 3b (Date of Rank) 23 July 1957 * in item 11d (Effective Date) 22 October 1958 * in item 19a (Current Active Service Other than by Induction) Called from Reserve Duty * in item 19c (Date of Entry) 23 October 1956 * in item 24c (Foreign and/or Sea Service) 1 year 4 months 5 days 5. The applicant's DD Form 214 is void of an entry stating where his foreign and/or sea service occurred. 6. The applicant provides: * a DA Form 348 showing the vehicles he was qualified to operate in support of his statement how he mostly drove trucks while stationed in Korea * a health form which was completed to qualify for operation of vehicles * Orders Number 18 temporarily promoting him to PFC the orders were published by Company A, 707th Ordnance Battalion, APO 7 7. Per regulation, the KDSM is authorized for 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. The applicant served in Korea during a qualifying period of time for authorization to wear the KDSM. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and evidence in the records. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his record of service, the unit location on his promotion orders, the annotated Foreign and Sea Service on his DD Form 214 and the eligibility criteria for the KDSM. The Board found, by a preponderance of evidence, that the applicant is eligible for award of the KDSM and it should be added to his DD Form 214 as a matter of equity. 2. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted. 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: - awarding him the Korea Defense Service Medal for service in Korea after 28 July 1954 and; - amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period of service ending 22 October 1958 to add in item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendation, Citations and Campaign Ribbons) – Korea Defense Service Medal. 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) provides Department of the Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations, the Good Conduct Medal, service medals and ribbons, combat and special skill badges and tabs, unit decorations, and trophies, and similar devices awarded in recognition of accomplishments. The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) was authorized by section 543 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2003. It 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 period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190009638 4