RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-04117
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
	 	COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Korean Service 
Medal (KSM) and the United Nations Service Medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He would like for his heirs to know what medals he is entitled 
to.

In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy of his 
DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the 
U.S., copies of Special Orders, and flight records from his tour 
of duty in Japan.

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 1 Feb 52 and was 
honorably discharged on 31 Jan 56.  He is credited with 10 
months and 18 days Foreign Service.

The United Nations Service Medal was authorized by the United 
Nations General Assembly on 12 Dec 50.  The Department of 
Defense authorized it for the U.S. Armed Forces on 27 Nov 51.  
It was awarded to officers and enlisted men of the U.S. Armed 
Forces who participated in action in Korea and who were eligible 
for the Korean Service Medal.

The Korean Service Medal was awarded for service between 27 Jun 
50 and 27 Jul 54 within the territorial limits of Korea in 
waters immediately adjacent.  Also eligible were those who 
served with a unit under the operational control of the 
Commander-in-Chief, Far East, other than those units within the 
territorial limits of Korea, which had been designated by the 
Commander-in-Chief, Far East, as having directly supported the 
military effort in Korea, was furnished an individual 
certificate by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, testifying to 
material contribution made in direct support of the military 
effort in Korea.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial based on a lack of documentation 
showing the applicant was in Korea.

Examiner’s Note:  DPSIDR prepared a corrected/revised evaluation 
which was forwarded to the applicant on 8 Apr 08 (Exhibit F).  
The applicant did not ask for the Humanitarian Service Medal but 
it was mistakenly included in DPSIDR’s original evaluation.
  
The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluations are at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant states he and other crew members flew over South 
Korea many times, including the 38th parallel, and sat on the 
runway during the prisoner of war exchange with a full bomb load 
ready to take off at any time.  He further states that if he is 
not eligible for the medals then he must have received combat 
pay erroneously.  In support of his request, he provided 
additional copies of his flight records.

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E. 

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2. The application is not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After a 
thorough review of the evidence presented and the applicant’s 
flying records, we were able to verify that the unit to which he 
was assigned was under the operational control of the Commander- 
in-Chief, Far East, and that his unit directly supported the 
military effort in Korea.  Therefore, we recommend that the 
applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was 
awarded the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service 
Medal.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-
2007-04117 in Executive Session on 29 July 2008, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

XXXXXXXXXXX, Panel Chair
XXXXXXXXXXXX, Member
XXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Dec 07, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letters, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 19 Feb 08.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Mar 08.
     Exhibit E.  Applicant’s Rebuttal, dated 21 Mar 08, w/atch.
     Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Apr 08.



                                   XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
                                   Panel Chair