PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           2 September 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999019988

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas N. Kuhn		Member	
	Mr. James M. Alward		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 that his DD Form 214 be corrected to show his service in the Persian Gulf War.

3.  The applicant states that his unit was originally to be assigned to Germany but was diverted to the Persian Gulf when Operation Desert Storm started.  He needs the correction to obtain veterans’ benefits.  No supporting evidence is provided.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 February 1989.  He was assigned to the 19th Engineer Battalion, Fort Knox, KY on 19 June 1989.  

5.  The applicant’s DA Form 2-1, Personnel Qualification Record, does not show that he served in the Persian Gulf; however, he was counseled on 8 February 1991 for disobeying an order (to go out in a minefield).

6.  The Center of Military History has verified that the 19th Engineer Battalion has credit for two campaigns during Operation Desert Storm.  The Defense Finance and Accounting Service has verified that the applicant was authorized overseas pay from 18 January – 6 May 1991 and was also authorized danger pay during this time period.

7.  On 17 October 1991, the applicant was discharged.  His DD Form 214 does not reflect any of the awards or the foreign service associated with service in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that service in the Persian Gulf War is to be recognized by award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) to Army members who participated in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the designated area on or after 2 August 1990.  A member serving outside the area in Israel, Egypt, Turkey and Jordan is eligible if the unit was under the command and control of the Central Command or was serving in direct support of military operations.  Individuals on temporary duty are eligible after 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.  A bronze service star is authorized for the Defense of Saudi Arabia (2 August 1990 to 16 January 1991), the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait (17 January to 11 April 1991) and the Cease Fire Campaign (12 April 1991 to 30 November 1995).

8.  The Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA), awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was approved on 3 January 1992 and is awarded to those members who participated in the Persian Gulf War from 17 January to 28 February 1991.

9.  The Secretary of Defense accepted an offer by the Government of Kuwait to award the Kuwait Liberation Medal (K) to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant served in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War during the period 18 January – 6 May 1991.  As such, he is entitled to the SWASM with two bronze service stars, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA) and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (K).

2.  Block 12f of his DD Form 214 is also incorrect in that it does not reflect his service in Southwest Asia.

3.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by:

     a.  showing that the applicant is entitled to the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA) and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (K); and

     b.  changing block 12f of his DD Form 214 to read 00 03 19.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__mkp___  __tnk___  __jma___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Margaret K. Patterson
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999019988	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990902	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0074	
2.	107.0089	
3.	110.04	
4.	110.00	
5.		
6.