IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 11 May 2010
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090019724
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 award of the Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM).
2. The applicant states he served in Korea from February 1955 to June 1956 assigned to Battery A, 48th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division.
3. The applicant provides:
* Internet articles on the KDSM and the 7th Infantry Division
* 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. The applicant's 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. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 1 September 1954. He served as a field artillery operations and intelligence specialist. On 3 July 1956, he was released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve to complete his remaining service obligation.
4. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows his most significant duty assignment was Battery A, 48th Field Artillery Battalion, and he served 1 year, 4 months, and 26 days of foreign service. His DD Form 214 shows the Army Good Conduct Medal as an authorized award.
5. Information obtained from the U.S. Army Center of Military History indicates station lists for February 1955 through June 1956 show the 48th Field Artillery Battalion was stationed in Tongduchon-ni, Korea.
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states 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 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 the following criteria: (1) be engaged in combat during an armed engagement regardless of the time in the area of eligibility; (2) be wounded or injured in the line of duty and required medical evacuation from the area of eligibility; or (3) participate as a regularly assigned air crewmember flying sorties into, out of, or within the area of eligibility in direct support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria will count as 1 day toward the 30 or 60-day requirement and personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area of eligibility are considered eligible for the award as long as the basic time criteria is met. Due to the extensive time period for KDSM eligibility, the nonconsecutive service period for eligibility remains cumulative throughout the entire period.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
Based on the information obtained from the U.S. Army Center of Military History, it appears the applicant served a period of qualifying service for award of the KDSM. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this medal.
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 the KDSM to his DD Form 214.
____________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) AR20090019724
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090019724
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