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