ADDENDUM TO RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03850 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 27 March 2011, the Board considered and denied the applicant’s appeal. For an accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s appeal and the rationale of the earlier decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings, with attachments, at Exhibit F. In a letter to the Board dated 28 June 2012, the applicant requests reconsideration. He states the only record he has in his possession is a medical record report of an injury he sustained while on a temporary duty (TDY) to Taegu Korea, which he enclosed. During his first permanent change of station (PCS) to Misawa AB, Japan, from 1963 to 1965, he was assigned to the 21st OMS which supported the 4th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. During this time, his unit had continuous TDY deployments to Osan AB, Korea. Each TDY deployment was for 30 days of which he personally made four TDY deployments there for a total of not less than 120 days. From 1967 to 1969, he was attached to the 439th OMS which supported the 356th TAC Fighter Squadron. Areas of deployment supported Kunsan AB, Korea, and Taegu AB, Korea, during the Pueblo crisis, which he spent 98 continuous days at Taegu AB. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit G. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. They state the applicant previously submitted a DD Form 149, Application for Correction for Military Record, requesting the KDSM. In their 22 December 2011 advisory to the board they stated the Directorate of Assignments was unable to confirm any time in the Republic of Korea; therefore, they were unable to verify award of the KDSM. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were unable to verify award of the KDSM. Although the applicant claims to have multiple temporary duties to Korea exceeding the 30/60 day requirement, they are only able to verify one day in Korea from medical documentation newly submitted by the applicant. They stand by their original advisory dated 22 December 2011. There is no documentation verifying the applicant served in Korea for the required time period for award of the KDSM. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoD 1348.33. The DPSID complete evaluation is at Exhibit H. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 13 March 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit I). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting award of the KDSM. In this respect, we note the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility; however, we do not agree. Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) provided background information regarding the applicant’s squadron. Based on the information provided by the AFHRA, it is clear that at least for the 1967-1969 period the 356th TFS, which was supported by the applicant’s maintenance squadron, was rotated continuously to South Korea to Kunsan and Taegu Air Base and was dispatched to Kunsan in response to the USS Pueblo incident in January 1968. We believe it is more likely than not that the applicant was in Korea for considerably longer than 60 days. Additionally, the applicant has provided medical documentation of being injured in Korea in 1968. Accordingly, in recognition of the applicant’s service to the nation and to preclude a possibility of an injustice, we elect to resolve this matter in the applicant’s favor. Therefore, we recommend the records be corrected as indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ 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 Defense Service Medal for service in Korea during the period of 14 August 1967 to 28 July 1969. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-03850 in Executive Session on 16 April 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary was considered: Exhibit F. Record of Proceedings, dated 8 May 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 28 June 2012, w/atch. Exhibit H. Letter, AFPD/DPSID, dated 25 January 2013. Exhibit I. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 March 2013.