IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 18 February 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150008416 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show the Army Achievement Medal (AAM). 2. The applicant states after reviewing his current DD Forms 214 and 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), he has noticed that the AAM he was awarded is not reflected in the decorations and awards section. 3. The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 25 August 1991 with a corresponding DD Form 215 and DA Form 4980-18 (AAM Certificate), dated 16 July 1991. 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 enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on 28 March 1988. He entered active duty on 9 August 1988, completed his initial entry training, and was awarded military occupational specialty 63B (Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic). He was released from active duty on 10 February 1989. 3. His unit was mobilized and he was ordered to active duty on 20 September 1990 in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 25 August 1991 at the conclusion of his period ordered to active duty. a. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Southwest Asia Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar * Army Lapel Button b. Item 13 does not show he was awarded the AAM. c. Item 18 (Remarks) of his DD Form 214 contains the entry "Service in SWA (Southwest Asia): 901101–910719." 5. His DD Form 214 was amended by DD Form 215 on 8 June 1992. In pertinent part, this DD Form 215 amended item 13 of his DD Form 214 by deleting the Southwest Asia Service Medal and adding the: * Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars * Kuwait Liberation Medal * 1 overseas service bar 6. His military records are void of any documentation that shows he was awarded the AAM. 7. He provides an AAM Certificate, dated 16 July 1991 and annotated as Permanent Orders Number 07-033, which shows he was awarded the AAM for meritorious achievement while serving in support of Operation Desert Shield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period 17 November 1990 through 9 January 1991. 8. A review of the applicant's records indicates he is entitled to additional awards which are not shown on his DD Form 214. 9. The Kuwait Liberation Medal issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA) 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. 10. The Kuwait Liberation Medal issued by the Government of Kuwait (KLM-K) 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's request for correction of his DD Form 214 to show the AAM was carefully considered. 2. Permanent orders awarded him the AAM on 16 July 1991; however, this individual award is not reflected on his DD Form 214. 3. The evidence of record shows he served in SWA from on or about 1 November 1990 through on or about 19 July 1991. This period of foreign service was within the regulatory time frame for award of the KLM-SA and KLM-K; however, they are not reflected on his DD Form 214. BOARD VOTE: ____x___ ____x___ ___x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 amending item 13 of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 25 August 1991 by adding the Army Achievement Medal, the KLM-SA, and the KLM-K. _______ _ __x_____ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100019881 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150008416 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1