RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02163 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect award of the Korean Service Medal (KSM) and Air Force Crew Wings. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He is entitled to the KSM for his service in the territorial waters of Korea; and the Air Force Crew Wings for his 500 hours of flights flown on B-25. In support of his appeal, the applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States; Nuclear Test Personnel Review DTRA Form 10; AF Form 702, Individual Physiological Training Record; and correspondence related to this matter. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records were apparently located in the area most heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973. The NPRC provided a reconstructed record which contains limited documentation relating to his military service. The available documentation reflects that on 3 Oct 50, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 2 Sep 54, he was honorably discharged and credited with five years, ten months, and one day of total active military service. He was not credited with any foreign or overseas service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibit C and D. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial award of the KSM. There was no documentation located to verify the applicant served in Korea. The KSM is awarded to service members for service between 27 Jun 50 and 27 Jul 54 for their participation in any engagement against the enemy in North or South Korean territory, in Korean waters, or in the air over North or South Korea or over Korean waters. The service prescribed must have been performed while the person was on permanent assignment, on temporary duty with a designated unit or headquarters for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or in actual combat against the enemy. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. AF/A30-AIF recommends denial for award of the Air Force Crew Wings noting there is no evidence to corroborate the applicant held an AFSC that was authorized for flying status, or that he met the criteria for the Air Crew Badge. There was no documentation validating he performed 500 hours of flight time in 1951-1952. Even if the applicant was authorized flying duties as nonaircrew member, that flight time does not meet the requirements for award of the aircrew badge. The applicant unsuccessfully requested award of Air Crew Badge with the same documentation provided with this application. A complete copy of the AF/A30-AIF evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He recently received documentation from the Department of Defense recognizing his service during the Korean War. In support of his response, he provides a copy of his Certificate of Appreciation, issued in recognition of his honorable service during the Korean Conflict. The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice. The applicant is requesting award of the Korean Service Medal (KSM) and the Air Crew Badge (wings). We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and the recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. While it appears the applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the NPRC, the burden of proof of an error or injustice rests with the applicant. Although he has provided a certificate of appreciation for his service during the Korean Conflict, we do not find this certificate, in and of itself, sufficient to conclude that he participated in an engagement with the enemy in accordance with the established criteria for the KSM. As for his request for the Air Crew Badge, other than his own assertions, he has provided no evidence whatsoever that he served in a qualifying position on an aircrew, or attained a sufficient number of flying hours to qualify for the badge while assigned to such a position. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02163 in Executive Session on 13 Feb 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02163 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Feb 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Reconstructed Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, undated. Exhibit D. Letter, AF/A3O-A1F, dated 15 Aug 13. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, 20 Sep 13. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atch. Panel Chair