IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 10 November 2009 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090006593 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, award of the Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM). 2. The applicant states that he served one year in Korea and he did not receive any decorations, medals, badges or any other type of awards. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his 25 January 1956 DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States). CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 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. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. Records available to the Board show that the applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 26 January 1954. He was honorably discharged on 25 January 1956. 3. The applicant's Enlisted Qualification Record shows that he served in Korea from 15 August 1954 to 10 December 1955. 4. Item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the following awards: National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. This form does not show award of the KDSM. 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states, in pertinent part, that the KDSM 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 area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea, and the contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles and all air spaces above the land and water area. The period of eligibility is from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or for 60 nonconsecutive days. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The applicant served in Korea from August 1954 to December 1955. He is entitled to award of the KDSM. BOARD VOTE: ____x____ ___x_____ ____x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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 adding to his 25 January 1956 DD Form 214 the award of the KDSM. _______ _ x_______ ___ CHAIRPERSON 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. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090006593 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090006593 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1