RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00409 

 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to show the award of the Medal of Honor 
(MOH). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He should be awarded the MOH as he is entitled to it for actions 
he took during the Korean War on 30 Oct 50. The military action 
on that date was never made a part of his records. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, several letters of support – including a letter from 
the Military Advisor from the Republic of Korea, presenting the 
applicant with the citation to accompany the award of the Wha-Rang 
Distinguished Military Service Medal with Silver Star, and copies 
of pertinent personnel records to include his DD Form 214, Report 
of Separation from the Military of the United States. 

 

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

While serving in the Korean War, on 30 Oct 50, the applicant was 
assigned to the 7th Infantry Regiment, Republic of Korea Army, he 
and a small force of friendly combatants that he reorganized 
during a retreat risked their own lives to hold off the enemy 
while the remaining members of the 7th Infantry made their way 
back to friendly lines. He was wounded and captured by Chinese 
forces but managed to escape and return to friendly forces three 
months later. 

 

The applicant was awarded the Wha-Rang Distinguished Military 
Service Medal with Silver Star for exceptionally meritorious 
service between 25 Jun and 15 Sep 50, and on 30 Oct 50.An earlier 
application to the AFBCMR yielded a change to his records which 
entitled him to award of the Prisoner of War Medal, the Purple 
Heart Medal, and the Korean Service Medal. 


He was retired for physical disability on 31 Mar 53 after having 
served for 4years, 9 months, and 29 days. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial as the applicant failed to provide 
adequate documentation consisting of eyewitness statements, chain 
of command endorsements, and a referral by a member of Congress. 
Additionally, after a review of the applicant’s records, DPSIDR 
was unable to locate any official records, to include a special 
order or recommendation, which would confirm the applicant’s 
entitlement to the MOH. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation (Exhibit D) was forwarded to 
the applicant on 13 May 11 for review and comment within 30 days. 
As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 

 

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ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

SAF/MRBP addresses the applicant’s contention the Wha-Rang 
Distinguished Military Service Medal with Silver Star is the 
equivalent of the United States MOH and recommends denial as the 
applicant failed to provide any evidence to substantiate his 
contention. Additional research yielded that while many Korean 
War Veterans received the same Korean medal as the applicant, they 
were not awarded any higher decorations as a result of such award. 
Based on the documentation provided, the applicant was 
appropriately awarded the PH Medal and the POW Medal. 

 

A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit E. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant indicates that he was nominated for the MOH through 
his Congressional representative who submitted the nomination 
through proper authorities. He does not understand why a letter 
from the Korean Government is not enough proof of his heroism. In 
support of his response, the applicant provides an expanded 
statement and copies of 

 

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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 error or injustice with regard to his 
request for entitlement to the MOH. We took notice of the 
applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; 
however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air 
Force office of primary responsibility and SAF/MRBP and adopt 
their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant 
has not been the victim of an error or injustice. While we are 
extremely thankful for his service and the sacrifice inherent with 
such service, we simply could not find any of the required 
evidence listed in the DPSIDR opinion in his application or 
rebuttal. Additionally, the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel 
Council (SAFPC) noted the lack of evidence indicating that the 
Wharang Distinguished Military Service Medal with Silver Star, 
while a prestigious award of the South Korean government, had any 
connection to the MOH of any type. Therefore, in the absence of 
evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting 
the relief sought in this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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-2011-00409 in Executive Session on 17 November 2011, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Vice Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 


The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-00409 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Jul 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 11 Apr 11 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 May 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBP, dated 28 Oct 11. 

 Exhibit F. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 1 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Vice Chair