PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            25 November 1998                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10425

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

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. John N. Slone		Member	
	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

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

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests award of the Combat Medical Badge.

3.  The applicant states he saved lives in Saudi Arabia and is entitled to award of the Combat Medical Badge.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he enlisted on 1 October 1987 and completed training in military occupational specialty (MOS) 91B (Medical Specialist).  He was in a temporary duty status in Saudi Arabia from 17 January through 14 March 1991 as an ambulance driver in the 36th Medical Battalion.  He was separated on 27 March 1992.

5.  The Combat Medical Badge is not shown on the applicant’s DD Form 214 as an authorized award.  The Board notes the applicant is entitled to award of the Kuwait Liberation Medals awarded by the Government of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which are not shown on his DD Form 214.

6.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records which shows he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge.  Records also show he was assigned to a medical unit which was not a part of an infantry nit.  

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) indicates, in pertinent part, that the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size which is engaged in active ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

8.  The Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait, awarded by the Government of Kuwait, was approved on 9 November 1995 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in the Persian Gulf War between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993.

9.  The Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia, awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was approved on 3 January 1992 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in the Persian Gulf War between 17 January and 28 February 1991.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence which shows the applicant was awarded the Combat Medical Badge.  Evidence of record shows that, during the applicant’s service in Saudi Arabia, he was assigned to a medical battalion, but was not assigned to a medical unit organic to an infantry unit in active ground combat.  Therefore, the applicant is not eligible for award of the Combat Medical Badge.

2.  The applicant is entitled to the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned is entitled to award of the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

JEV_____  JNS_____  RVO___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON