APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Award of the Humanitarian Service Medal for the New Life/New Arrivals humanitarian operation at Fort Chafee, AR.

APPLICANT STATES:  He was assigned to Fort Chafee when the Vietnamese refugees were brought to the U.S. in 1975.  He submits an enlisted efficiency report he received while at Fort Chafee as evidence.

EVIDENCE OF RECORDS:

The applicant’s military records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on          19 June 1973.  He was assigned to Fort Hood, TX.  He was on temporary duty (TDY) to the 47th Field Hospital, Fort Chaffee, AR from 21 May - 29 August 1975 where he served as a medical lab assistant.  He was relieved from active duty on 18 June 1976.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Humanitarian Service Medal is awarded to eligible soldiers who directly participate in a DOD-approved military act or operation of a humanitarian nature.  The New Life/New Arrivals operation at Guam, Fort Chaffee AR and Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, for the inclusive dates of 1 April - 20 December 1975, is such an operation.  To be eligible, service members must provide evidence which substantiates direct participation except when a by-name eligibility list is published.  Acceptable evidence includes:  certificates, letters of commendation or appreciation; evaluation reports; copies of TDY orders reflecting participation; or statements from commanders, supervisors or other officials who were in a position to substantiate the service member’s direct participation in the area of operation.

Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command does not have a by-name eligibility list for this operation on file.  While the applicant’s personnel records and his efficiency report verify that he was TDY at Fort Chaffee during the proper timeframe, there is no substantiation that he actually directly participated in the operation.

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 evidence to show the applicant was at Fort Chaffee during the proper timeframe for the New Life/New Arrivals operation; however, there is no evidence to substantiate that he was sent there to directly participate in the operation.
2.  In view of the foregoing, there appears to be 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

                       DENY APPLICATION

                         Loren G. Harrell
    Director