RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 6 MAY 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080003084 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. Director Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Chairperson Member Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). 2. The applicant states, in effect, he was never informed he was authorized these two awards. 3. The applicant provides no additional evidence or official documentation in support of his application. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's military personnel record shows he served a period of active service in the Regular Army from 29 December 1988 to 23 December 1991. 3. The Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) compiled a Desert Shield/Storm Data Base that contains one record for each active duty member who participated in-theater between 2 August 1990 and 31 July 1991 and one record for each Reservist, National Guard member or retiree who was activated or federalized in response to Desert Shield/Desert Storm. For Reservists and Guard members the file includes those persons activated or federalized from 2 August 1990 through 31 December 1991. A Phase II file lists active duty personnel who served in-theater between 1 August 1991 and 31 December 1993. There are also separate files covering calendar years 1994 and 1995. 4. The DMDC Desert Shield/Storm Data Base shows the applicant participated in-theater during the period from 1 October 1990 to 30 April 1991. 5. The applicant was discharged on 23 December 1991 by reason of a locally imposed bar to reenlistment. He had completed 2 years, 11 months, and 25 days of active service that was characterized as honorable. 6. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 with a separation date of 23 December 1991 does not contain entries for the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia or the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait. 7. On 23 January 2001, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 4 years. On 15 March 2001, the applicant was discharged by reason of a physical condition, not a disability. He had completed 1 month and 23 days of active service that was determined to be uncharacterized. 8. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 with a separation date of 23 January 2001 does not contain entries for the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia or the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait. 9. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) provides, in pertinent part, that decorations, service medals, campaign credits, and badges awarded or authorized for all periods of service will be entered in Item 13 of the DD Form 214. 10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that 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 1991 and 28 February 1991. 11. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of 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. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends he is authorized the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait. 2. The DMDC Desert Shield/Storm Data Base shows the applicant participated in-theater during the period from 1 October 1990 to 30 April 1991. Therefore, he is authorized the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait. 3. In view of the above, it is appropriate to amend the applicant's DD Form 214 with a separation date of 15 March 2001 to show he is authorized the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait. 4. In view of the fact that the applicant's DD Form 214 with a separation date of 15 March 2001 covers a relatively short period of time and it was the applicant's service during his first enlistment on which the authorization for these medals was based it is appropriate to also amend his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 23 December 1991 to show he is authorized the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait. BOARD VOTE: ___X_____ __X____ __X____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. amending the applicant's DD Form 214 with a separation date of 23 December 1991 to show he is authorized the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait; and b. amending the applicant's DD Form 214 with a separation date of 15 March 2001 to show he is authorized the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait. __________X____________ CHAIRPERSON ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080003084 2 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 1901 SOUTH BELL STREET 2ND FLOOR ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4508