ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 6 November 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20200000845 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) and all the medals that he was awarded. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), dated 11 June 2019 * Congressional Correspondence, dated 3 April 2019 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. Code (USC), section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant states: a. He was sent to Eniwetok from 15 August 1978, and he returned to Hawaii in February 1979. The cleanup was considered a humanitarian project to clean the radiation from the islands so the native people could return to their homes. b. He was awarded the HSM for participation in the Eniwetok Cleanup Project of 1979. The medal was awarded to everyone who participated in this project in 1979 or early 1980. He was discharged from the U.S. Army prior to receiving the HSM. He connected with some fellow veterans that were on the project with him and they received the HSM. Internet search of the cleanup project produced a list of the medal recipients and his name appeared. c. Travel Order Number, dated August shows a roster of persons being deployed and his name is listed. d. He would like to receive all medals he was awarded but did not receive upon his release from active duty. 3. On 9 April 1976, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. 4. He completed training and he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 51B (Carpentry and Masonry). 5. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows in: a. item 5 (Oversea Service) – shows, in part, service in Eniwetok from 29 August 1978 to 1 February 1979; b. item 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaigns) – does not show award of the HSM. c. item 35 (Current and Previous Assignments) – his assignments, in part, were as follows the 84th Engineer Battalion (Element) Eniwetok (Attached). 6. On 13 May 1990, he was honorably released from active duty. Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the Good Conduct Medal, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, and Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar. It does not show award of the HSM. 7. By regulation (AR 600-8-22), the HSM is awarded to service members who, after 1 April 1975, distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in a DOD or DA approved significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. After 1 April 1975, but on or before January 6, 2016, the recipient must have been physically present at the designated location, having directly contributed to and influenced the action. DOD/DA approved the HSM operations for Eniwetok Radiological Cleanup, inclusive dates 24 January 1977 to 15 April 1980, in the geographical area of Eniwetok, Marshall Islands. By-name eligibility listings were published for this operation. Individuals not listed who claim meritorious direct participation should submit evidence of participation. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. A majority of the Board found insufficient evidence to confirm the applicant was authorized the HSM for his service in support of the Eniwetok Radiological Cleanup. The majority noted that the Defense Threat Reduction Agency published a list of Soldiers authorized the HSM for this operation, and determined the applicant should contact the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at the address provided in the References section below to confirm that his name appeared on the list, after which he may submit a request to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to have the medal added to his DD Form 214. 2. The member in the minority noted the record clearly shows the applicant served at Eniwetok during the period of eligibility for the HSM and determined the HSM should be added to his DD Form 214. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :X : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : :X :X DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. 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. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. a. The Humanitarian Service Medal is awarded to members who, after 1 April 1975, distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in a Department of Defense approved significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. A service member must be on active duty at the time of direct participation, must have directly participated in the humanitarian act or operation within the designated geographical area of operation and within specified time limits, and must provide evidence that substantiates direct participation. b. Department of Defense and Department of the Army approved HSM's operations for Eniwetok Radiological Cleanup, for the inclusive dates from 24 January 1977 to 15 April 1980, in the geographical area of Eniwetok, Marshall Islands. By-name eligibility listings were published for this operation. Individuals not listed who claim meritorious direct participation should submit evidence of such through command channels to the Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 6200 Meade Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060–5264, for determination. Service members involved in surveys and planning visits on Eniwetok Atoll between 1 April 1975 and 23 June 1977 are eligible. These individuals should write to the Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, through channels for confirmation of eligibility. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20200000845 2 1