IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 May 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220009414 APPLICANT REQUESTS: reconsideration of his previous request for the award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and its addition to his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * Reconsideration Letter * Photographs at the 38th Parallel and 7th Signal Company * Letter from the President of the Republic of Korea * Congressional correspondence * Extracted documents from Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20190014326 FACTS: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records, as were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the ABCMR in Docket Number AR20190014326 on 1 March 2022. 2. The applicant states, in effect, he is submitting photographic proof of his service in Korea. The photographs are of himself and others, and his name tag is visible; they were taken on Korean Army bases and at the 38th Parallel. a. As stated in his previous request, the Army stationed him in Korea from 25 May 1953 to 12 May 1955, and he served with the 7th Infantry Division. Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) authorized the award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation after he left the service; the DAGO recognized the 7th Infantry Division's role in safeguarding the Republic of Korea from 17 September 1950 to 27 March 1971. b. The applicant adds that he actually visited Korea for the 60th anniversary commemoration of the start of the Korean War's start; it was part of that country's "Revisit Korea" program. The President of the Republic of Korea sent him a personal letter, expressing the country's gratitude for the applicant's service. c. While the applicant recognizes the 1973 National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) destroyed the military service records that would have undeniably proven his claims, he feels the Board's earlier denial was essentially the country calling him a liar and suggesting he is unworthy of this award. The applicant declares he is a proud and honorable American, and he asks the Board to correct his DD Form 214 to show the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. 3. The applicant provides photographs showing the following: * A personal letter from the President of the Republic of Korea thanking him for his sacrifice and commitment during the Korean War * A photograph of a Soldier standing next to a sign that reads 38th Parallel * two photographs of a Soldier standing next to sign that reads Radio Relay, 7th Signal Company * One photograph of a group of Soldiers with the applicant’s name tag visible, but not clearly legible 4. The applicant's military 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 his records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case; those documents consist primarily of his DD Form 214 and an ABCMR letter, dated 24 August 1996, which pertains to ABCMR Docket Number AC96-08231. 5. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the following: * On 25 May 1953, the Army of the United States inducted the applicant for an obligated term of active duty service * At some point in 1954, he graduated from a 20-week Repeater (Signal) course, conducted at the U.S. Army Signal School, Fort Monmouth, NJ * He completed 8 months and 23 days of foreign service; the DD Form 214 does not state where he served * His most significant duty assignment was "1187 L 7 Sig Co" * On 12 May 1955, the Army honorably released him from active duty; the form indicates he completed 1 year, 11 months, and 18 days of net active duty service * He was awarded or authorized the Army Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal 6. On 31 January 1994, the applicant petitioned the ABCMR, requesting the award of the Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal. On 24 August 1996, the Board administratively closed the applicant's request, stating the awards regulation showed both awards were authorized for service in Korea between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. The applicant's records indicated the earliest he could have been assigned to Korea was 7 August 1954; as such, he was ineligible for those awards. 7. On 1 March 2022, after reviewing the applicant's request and supporting documentation, the Board determined relief was not warranted. Based upon the limited documents available to validate the applicant’s Korea service, and due to the time period for such service, the Board concluded the evidence was insufficient to warrant adding the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation to the applicant’s DD Form 214. 10. DAGO Number 50, dated 1971, confirmed award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation to the 7th Infantry Division for extraordinary sacrifice and service rendered to the Republic of Korea during the periods August 1945 to December 1948 and from 17 September 1950 to 27 March 1971. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, a majority of the Board found relief is not warranted. 2. A majority of the Board found the photographs provided by the applicant insufficient to confirm his service in Korea. A majority of the Board determined the evidence is insufficient as a basis for adding the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation to the applicant’s DD Form 214. 3. The member in the minority found the photographs provided by the applicant do, in fact, establish his presence in Korea during the period for which the 7th Infantry Division was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. The member in the minority determined this foreign unit award should be added to his DD Form 214. The member in the minority further determined the Korea Defense Service Medal should also be added to the applicant’s DD Form 214. ? BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :X : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : :X :X DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20190014326 on 1 March 2022. 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: Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the 7th Infantry Division was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary sacrifice and service rendered to the Republic of Korea during the periods August 1945 to December 1948 and from 17 September 1950 to 27 March 1971 by Department of the Army General Order Number 50, (9 November 1971). //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220009414 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1