IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 28 May 2013 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120020311 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 the Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 should reflect the KDSM. 3. The applicant provides: * Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) article * DD Form 214 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. The applicant's complete 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 that the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 3. His DD Form 214 shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 June 1955 for a period of 2 years. He served as a personnel specialist and he was honorably released from active duty on 19 May 1958 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve to complete his remaining service obligation. His last duty assignment is shown as 77-7794th U.S. Army Signal Detachment, Saumur, France APO 322. 4. His DD Form 214 does not show the KDSM as an authorized award. 5. There is no evidence in the available records that shows he served in Korea. 6. He provided a VFW article that pertains to hostile actions on the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea during the periods 1945 to 1949 and 1954 to 1994. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Korea Defense Service Medal 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 (1) encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea and the contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles and (2) all air spaces above the land and water area. The period of eligibility is 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 or meet several criteria including: (1) be engaged in combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility or (2) be wounded or injured in the line of duty and required medical evacuation from the area of eligibility. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence of record and the applicant did not provide any evidence that shows he served a period of qualifying service in Korea for award of the KDSM. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to base adding the KDSM to his DD Form 214. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___X____ __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 for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _______ _ 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) AR20120020311 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120020311 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1