2.  The applicant requests award of the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), the Army Good Conduct Medal (2d award) and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for the Cuban missile crisis.

3.  The applicant’s military records show he had prior Army National Guard and Regular Air Force service.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 10 October 1961.
4.  On 31 October 1962, while assigned to the 313th Army Security Agency (ASA) at Fort Bragg, NC, the applicant was sent on temporary duty (TDY) to Homestead Air Force Base, FL where he performed duties as a senior radar traffic analyst.  About December 1962, he was assigned to an ASA unit at Homestead Air Force Base.

5.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 9 October 1964.  All his conduct and efficiency ratings had been rated “excellent.”

6.  The NDSM is awarded for honorable active service between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1970.

7.  The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded for each three-year qualifying period completed on or after 27 August 1940.  Conduct and efficiency ratings during the qualifying period must be rated “excellent.”  

8.  The AFEM is awarded for service during the Cuban missile crisis, 24 October 1962 - 1 June 1963.  Personnel must have served no less than 30 consecutive days in the area of operations or be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of operations.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s records show he is eligible for the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal, 1st award.  (His DD Form 214 for his Air Force service is not available.  He may have been awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal; however, this would still have made him eligible only for the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.)

2.  The records are not so definite as to his eligibility for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  However, the time frame of his departure on TDY fits the start of the crisis.  His duties as a senior radar traffic analyst fit the requirements for monitoring of any possible missile movements during this crisis.  It is reasonable to presume that he was sent TDY to support that operation. 
3.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual is entitled to award of the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st award) and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                                                                         
    CHAIRPERSON