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AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-03649
Original file (BC-2011-03649.txt) Auto-classification: Approved
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03649 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He is entitled to the KDSM due to his service in Korea for more 
than 60 nonconsecutive days in 1956 and 1957 while serving in 
Japan as a crewmember with the 483rd Troop Carrier Group. 

 

At the time of his retirement the KDSM was not yet authorized 
and was not included in his military records. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty; Temporary 
Duty (TDY) orders, and a travel voucher. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force 
from 17 Aug 54 to 30 Jun 76. He retired in the grade of 
colonel. 

 

He was assigned to the 815th Troop Carrier Squadron from 22 Jan 
56 to 17 May 58. 

 

The Department of Defense approved the Korean Defense Service 
Medal (KDSM) in February 2004 to be given as recognition for 
military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding 


waters after 28 Jul 54 and ending on such a future date as 
determined by the Secretary of Defense. 

 

Individuals must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to 
units operating or serving on all the land area of the Republic 
of Korea, and the contiguous waters out to 12 nautical miles, 
and all airspace above the stated land and water areas. To be 
eligible for the KDSM, personnel must have been physically 
present in the stated areas for 30 consecutive or 
60 nonconsecutive days, or must meet one of the following: 

 

 Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, 
regardless of the time in the areas of eligibility 

 

 Be killed, wounded, or injured in the line of duty and 
required medical evacuation from the area of eligibility 

 

 While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member 
flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of 
eligibility in support of military operations. Each day that one 
or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria 
shall count as 1 day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement. 

 

_______________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that based upon 
review of the applicant’s military records and the documentation 
provided they believe an injustice may exist. However, without 
supporting documentation, they must recommend disapproval. 

 

DPSIDR states the applicant provided official documentation 
indicating he was either physically located in, or in flight 
over, Korea for 61 nonconsecutive days. However, except for 
three days documented by a travel voucher, the documentation 
consists entirely of travel orders. Travel orders without 
supporting documentation are not acceptable as proof of the 
applicant’s presence in Korea because they might have been 
revoked or amended. No other official documentation was located 
in the applicant’s military personnel records verifying service 
in Korea. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 10 Nov 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded 
to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To 
date, a response has not been received. Exhibit D. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 


 

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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice warranting 
award of the KDSM. After reviewing the documentation submitted, 
we believe, the applicant has provided sufficient evidence to 
support award of the KDSM. In this respect, the applicant 
contends he served in Korea for more than 60 nonconsecutive days 
in 1956 and 1957 while serving in Japan as a crewmember with the 
483rd Troop Carrier Group and should be awarded the KDSM. We 
note the applicant provided official documentation indicating he 
was either physically located in, or in flight over, Korea for 
61 nonconsecutive days. Although not conclusive, we find the 
evidence sufficient to resolve any doubt on this issue in favor 
of the applicant. Accordingly, we recommend his 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. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 


 

The following members of the Board considered this application 
in Executive Session on 20 Mar 12, under the provisions of AFI 
36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-
2011-03649: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Sep 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR dated 24 Oct 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Nov 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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