MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:    

	BOARD DATE:           4 March 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-08377
				    AR1998013441

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Curtis W. Barbee		Chairperson	
	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal based on participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he was a member of a Special Forces team of 11 soldiers who boarded the USS Tirante on 23 October 1962 where the team was given orders “to go ashore at a place known only to the Submarine Commander and his staff.”  He states that once on shore they were to make radio contract and wait for further instructions.  The applicant states that in spite of several problems “we beached the boat, set up a small perimeter of defense, cranked up the radio, received no response” and so returned to the submarine.  The applicant notes that he needs documentation of the mission to receive certain VA benefits.  The applicant states that records pertaining to his participation may be classified which is why there is no record of his action in his file.  In support of his request he submits a card indicating he was declared an “honorary submariner” as an “honored guest aboard the USS Tirante”.  The card is not dated.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant entered active duty in January 1958 and was trained as a medical specialist.  His records indicate he departed Okinawa on 25 September 1962 and reported to the 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg on 20 November 1962.

The applicant remained at Fort Bragg in various units until August 1964 when he was transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia where he remained for the duration of his enlistment.  On 18 December 1964 he was released from active duty.  His DD Form 214 reflects entitlement to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal based on his service as a member of the White Star Military Training Team in Laos between December 1961 and June 1962.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 states that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded for participation in designated military operation in direct support of the United Nations and U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.  Individuals must have been a bona fide member of a unit and engaged in the operation or meet one of several other qualifications, including:

a.  serving not less than 30 consecutive days in the area of operations

b.  be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, provided this support involves entering the area of operations

	c.  be engaged in actual combat, or duty which is equally as hazardous as combat, during the operation with armed opposition, regardless of the time in the area

d.  be recommended, or attached to a unit recommended, by the chief of a service or the commander o unified or specified command for award of the medal, although the criteria above have not been fulfilled.

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized for service in Cuba between 24 October 1962 and 1 June 1963.

Information obtained from the Navy Center for Military History, by a member of the Board’s staff, confirmed that the USS Tirante was based in Key West between 1961 and when it was decommissioned in the early 70’s.  However members of her crew were never authorized the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal nor was there any record of direct participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis. The applicant was provided the above information in a letter dated 4 January 1999 but did not respond.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  There is no evidence that substantiates the applicant’s entitlement to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal based on service in Cuba.  Even if his presence in Cuba could be substantiated the fact that he indicated he was in the area less then 30 days and did not encounter any armed opposition would have disqualified him from automatic entitlement to the award.  While he may have gained entitlement to the award via a recommendation there is no evidence he was ever recommended.

2.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__cwb___  _eb_____  __rjw___  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-08377/AR1998013441	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990304	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 107.00		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.