PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:           9 September 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2003088343

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Jessie B. Strickland		Analyst	

The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Shirley L. Powell		Chairperson	
	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		Member	
	Mr. Thomas A. Pagan		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 report of separation be corrected to reflect any awards he is entitled to receive in connection with his participation in "Operation Just Cause" in Panama. 

3.  The applicant states that he was assigned to the 401st Military Police (MP) Company during the peacekeeping mission in Panama during "Operation Just Cause" and his DD Form 214 does not reflect such.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was honorably discharged 
from the Marine Corps on 30 March 1981 while serving in the pay grade of E-5 as a food service specialist.  He enlisted in the Regular Army as a food service specialist in the pay grade of E-5 on 5 February 1987 for a period of 3 years and assignment to Fort Hood, Texas.

5.  While stationed at Fort Hood he served first with the 3rd Signal Brigade, then the 57th Signal Battalion and lastly was assigned to the 401st MP Company on 20 June 1989.

6.  On 4 February 1990 he was honorably discharged on the expiration of his term of service (ETS).  His military awards included two awards of the Good Conduct Medal and three awards of the Meritorious Mast, from his Marine Corps service.

7.  A review of the available records failed to show the exact dates the applicant was deployed to Panama during "Operation Just Cause" with the 401st MP Company.  However, an evaluation report rendered on the applicant for the period of July 1989 through January 1990 indicates that the applicant did deploy to Panama and that he participated in "Operation Just Cause" during his 5-month deployment as a food service sergeant.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes the criteria for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).  It provides, in pertinent part, that the AFEM is awarded for service in Panama during "Operation Just Cause" during the period of 20 December 1989 to 31 January 1990. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was assigned to a unit that deployed to Panama and he participated in "Operation Just Cause" during the period that qualifies for award of the AFEM.

2.  Accordingly, the applicant is entitled to be awarded the AFEM for his service during that period.

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

RECOMMENDATION:  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the individual concerned the AFEM and correcting his records accordingly.

BOARD VOTE:  

__slp ___  ___tap __  __wtm___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Shirley L. Powell_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003088343	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	2003/09/09	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  118	107.0072/afem	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.