RMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 17 June 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018445 APPLICANT REQUESTS: In effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), for the period ending 9 November 1992, to show: a. He was awarded or authorized the: * Army Achievement Medal (AAM) (4th Award) * Humanitarian Service Medal * Driver and Mechanics Badge with Driver-W Bar * U.S. Military Service Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin [Army Lapel Button] * Spearhead Ranger Camp Field Operations Badge (FOB) * overseas service bar b. He completed the Combat Lifesaver Course and the Wheeled Vehicle Driver's Training Course. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record Under the Provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code (USC), Section 1552) * a personally authored statement outlining his request and contentions * an undated Black Knights Ranger Camp graduation program * DA Forms 4980-18 (AAM Certificate) (4) * DA Forms 87 (Certificate of Training) for the Driver's Training and Combat Lifesaver Courses * DD Form 214, for the period ending 9 November 1992 * 11 pages of an internet printout from www.globalsecurity.org, documenting the VII Corps humanitarian mission in Safwan, Iraq, with subordinate units * awards letters from the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, 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 earned the Driver and Mechanic Badge while stationed in Germany; he qualified on the six vehicles and drove all of the vehicles without incident throughout his 4 years of service. b. He served as an M-113 (Armored Personnel Carrier) driver during his service in support of Operation Desert Storm. c. He completed the 40-hour Combat Lifesaver Course in January 1990. d. In accordance with Army Regulation 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia), he is authorized the overseas service bar for his service during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. e. His records currently show he was only awarded three AAMs. He was awarded the AAM on four occasions as shown on the four AAM certificates provided. His DD Form 214 shows only two awards and his DD Form 215 (Correction to the DD Form 214) shows only three awards of this medal. f. While attached to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, he completed Ranger training with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Black Knights) and received the FOB. g. He received an honorable discharge and is authorized the Honorable Discharge Lapel Button and it should be shown on his DD Form 214. h. While serving in Southwest Asia, his unit provided humanitarian aid during the cease fire, giving aid to refugees in Safwan, Iraq. He provides an article to show his unit served under the 7th Corps during its humanitarian aid work. 3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 31 January 1989. He completed his initial entry training and was assigned to the Federal Republic of Germany. 4. Permanent Orders 19-4, issued by 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment on 30 August 1990, awarded the applicant the AAM with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster [2nd Award]. These orders were amended to show the award as the AAM (1st Award). 5. Permanent Orders 000022-118, issued by 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment on 2 October 1990, awarded the applicant the AAM with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster [2nd Award]. 6. Permanent Orders 6-18, issued by 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment on 31 May 1991, awarded the applicant the AAM with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster [3rd Award]. 7. The applicant's record contains a memorandum for record (MFR) from the Commander, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, dated 15 November 1991, subject: Verification of Tour in SWA for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, which shows the applicant was entitled to the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Driver and Mechanics Badge with Driver-W Bar, among other awards. 8. Permanent Orders 000063-004, issued by the 573rd Personnel Service Company on 13 May 1992, awarded the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). 9. The applicant's DA Form 2-1 shows: * he served in Germany from 9 August 1989 through 4 December 1991 * he served in Saudi Arabia from 17 December 1990 through 16 June 1991 * he served in the military occupation specialty 63B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic) * he completed the 15-week Vehicle Mechanic course in 1989 * he completed the 2-week Combat Lifesaver Course in 1990 * he was awarded or authorized the ARCOM; AAM (1st through 3rd Awards); National Defense Service Medal (NDSM); Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) with two bronze service stars; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia); and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar 10. The applicant was discharged on 9 November 1992. His DD Form 214 shows: * he completed the Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic Course (15 wks, August 1989) * he was awarded or authorized the: * ARCOM * AAM (3rd Award) * NDSM * SWASM with three bronze service stars * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar 11. A DA Form 215 was issued on 30 July 2014, which amended the applicant's DD Form 214 by showing he was awarded or authorized the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) and the Valorous Unit Award. 12. The applicant provides: a. A Black Knights Ranger Camp graduation program that shows he was an honor graduate and was presented the Spearhead Ranger Camp FOB. b. Four AAM certificates that show he was awarded the AAM: * on 30 August 1990, for meritorious achievement from 30 July to 2 August 1990 * on 2 October 1990, for meritorious achievement from 26 to 30 September 1990 * on 31 May 1991, for meritorious achievement in Kuwait from 12 May to 12 June 1991 * on 1 December 1991, for meritorious service from 5 August 1989 to 4 December 1991 (this certificate is annotated with Permanent Orders 13-6) c. An undated Certificate of Training that shows he completed a 37-hour Drivers Training Course while assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment in Germany. d. A Certificate of Training, dated 26 January 1990, which shows he completed a 40-hour Combat Lifesaver Course. e. An internet page from www.globalsecurity.org that details the humanitarian aid attributed to VII Corps and its subordinate units. The applicant's unit is shown to have been responsible for providing transportation assets and for the distribution of food and water to the rural areas around Safwan, Iraq. f. Two letters from the National Personnel Records Center that show the applicant was authorized the following awards: * ARCOM * AAM (3rd Award) * NDSM * SWASM with three bronze service stars * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) (KLM-SA) * Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) (KLM-KU) * Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic Bar * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Auto Rifle Bar * Valorous Unit Award 13. The applicant's Army Good Conduct Medal was omitted from his DD Form 214. 14. The official record contains orders awarding the applicant three AAMs. The fourth AAM certificate, provided by the applicant, shows the medal was awarded by 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment under Permanent Orders 13-6. The DD Form 214 shows only three AAMs. 15. The applicant's record contains an MFR from the Commander, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment that shows the applicant was entitled to the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Driver and Mechanics Badge with Driver-W Bar, among other awards. These award orders were not located in the applicant's available record and their entries were not listed on his DD Form 214. 16. The Army Lapel Button is a gratuitous issue to Soldiers who are transitioning with an honorable characterization of service. The Army Lapel Button is not shown on the applicant's DD Form 214. 17. The Spearhead Ranger FOB and the overseas service bar are not Federal awards listed in Army Regulation 600-8-22. They are uniform items and as such are not normally included on the DD Form 214. 18. The applicant completed the Wheeled Vehicle Driver's Training Course and the Combat Lifesaver Course; however, these courses are not shown on his DD Form 214. 19. The applicant's completion of the Spearhead Ranger program is a combat skills course; as such it not an entry shown on the military education block of the DD Form 214. BOARD DISCUSSION: After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined relief is warranted. The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered. The Board determined there is sufficient evidence to add the AAM (4th Award), Driver and Mechanic Badges, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) to his DD Form 214. The also agreed no further relief is warranted. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF X X X GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the following awards to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 November 1992: * Army Achievement Medal (4th Award) * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) * Drivers and Mechanic Badge with Driver-W component bar * Humanitarian Service Medal 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to adding the following to his DD Form 214: * U.S. Military Service Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin [Army Lapel Button] * Spearhead Ranger Camp Field Operations Badge (FOB) * overseas service bar 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): Not Applicable REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, USC, 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 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. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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. Appendix C (Department of Defense Approved Humanitarian Service Medal Operations) lists the operations, dates, and geographical area for authorization of the HSM. This table includes Operation PROVIDE COMFORT, 5 April – 14 June 1991, Northern Iraq and Turkey. b. The Driver and Mechanic Badge is awarded to Soldiers who qualify as either drivers and/or mechanics. (1) The eligibility requirements for drivers require that a Soldier must qualify for and possess a current U.S. Government Motor Vehicles Operator’s Identification Card and be assigned duties and responsibilities as a driver or assistant driver of government vehicles for a minimum of 12 consecutive months or during at least 8,000 miles with no government motor vehicle accident or traffic violation recorded. (2) The eligibility requirements for mechanics require that a Soldier must pass aptitude tests and complete the standard mechanic’s course with a “skilled” rating or have demonstrated possession of sufficient previous experience as an automotive or engineer equipment mechanic to justify such a rating; be assigned to primary duty as an automotive or engineer mechanic, unit level or higher, or is an active automotive or engineer mechanic instructor. If required to drive an Army motor vehicle in connection with automotive mechanic or automotive mechanic instructor duties, qualify for a motor vehicle operators permit as prescribed above and perform duty which includes driving motor vehicles for a minimum of 6 consecutive months and have no Army motor vehicle accident or traffic violation recorded. (3) The component bars authorized for wear with the Driver and Mechanic Badge are for the following: * Driver-W (for wheeled vehicles) * Driver-T (for tracked vehicles) * Driver-M (for motorcycles) * Driver-A (for amphibious vehicles) * Mechanic (for automotive or allied vehicles) * Operator-S (for special mechanical equipment) c. The Army Lapel Button is a gratuitous issue to Soldiers who are: (1) transitioning with an honorable characterization of service (those being transferred to another component for completion of a military service obligation and those receiving an Honorable Discharge Certificate); (2) transitioning under a non-adverse separation provisions; (3) having served a minimum 9 months continuous service without a break in service of 24 hours or more; and (4) having had active Federal service on or after 1 April 1984. 3. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, release from active duty service, or control of the Active Army. It establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214 and instructs the preparer to: a. List formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214. Include title, length in weeks, and year completed. This information is to assist the Soldier in job placement and counseling; therefore, do not list training courses for combat skills. b. List awards and decorations for all periods of service in the priority sequence specified. Each entry will be verified by the Soldier's records. Do not use abbreviations. 4. Army Regulation 670-1 governs the requirements for the Overseas Service Bar. It states a bar is authorized for wear for each period of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army outside of the continental limits of the United States for the specific time frames and areas of operation cited in Army Regulation 670-1 or appropriate Department of the Army message. There are special provisions regarding authorization for the overseas service bar for service in a hostile fire zone and for combining service to calculate award of the bars. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160018445 7 1