ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 September 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170007249 APPLICANT REQUESTS: in effect, award of the Iraq Campaign Medal. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record). FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records 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 he received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) for his service in Iraq, but he would like the Iraq Campaign Medal instead of the GWOTSM. The Iraq Campaign Medal represents his service in Iraq and he would like the GWOTSM replaced with the Iraq Campaign Medal. 3. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. The record is void of the enlistment document; however, the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) shows the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 16 November 2000. b. He served in Iraq from 1 March 2003 to 21 November 2003. c. On 20 December 2003, he was honorably released from active duty. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 3 years, 1 month, and 5 days of active service with 6 months and 21 days of foreign service. It also shows he was awarded or authorized: * Army Achievement Medal * Army Commendation Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Hand Grenade d. His DD Form 215 shows the GWOTSM was added to his service record on 31 May 2006. e. The applicant’s record is void of documentation awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal. He meets the criteria for this award in that: * his record is void of efficiency ratings or a disqualification statement; however, he received other awards and decorations during the period of active service * he served honorably and without disciplinary action for 3 years, 1 month, and 5 days * there is no record of a court-martial in his service record 4. A review of the applicant’s record confirms he is eligible for an award that is not recorded on his DD Form 214. The award will be added to his DD Form 214 as an administrative correction and will not be considered by the Board. The Board will consider award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. 5. By regulation: a. The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of active Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. b. The Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The area of eligibility encompasses all the land area of the country of Iraq, the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief was warranted. Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board determined that the applicant should be awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal based upon his military service in Iraq. However, the Board did not find the applicant was ever awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for that duty, which would need to be replaced with the ICM. He was awarded the GWOTSM, which the applicant is able to keep in addition to being awarded the ICM, so his request to replace the award is not required. 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 Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 by awarding and adding the Iraq Campaign 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 replacing the GWOTSM with the ICM. 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (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 (Military Awards) provides Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations. a. The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. Any one of the following periods of continuous enlisted active Federal military service qualifies for award: * Each 3 years completed on or after 27 August 1940 * For first award only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946 * For first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year * For first award only, upon termination of service, on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 1 year when final separation was by reason of physical disability incurred in line of duty * For first award only, for those individuals who died before completing 1 year of active Federal service if the death occurred in the line of duty b. The Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The area of eligibility encompasses all the land area of the country of Iraq, the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles. The Iraq Campaign Medal period of eligibility is on or after 19 March 2003 through 31 December 2011. A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign. Approved campaigns are: * Liberation of Iraq (19 March 2003-1 May 2003) * Transition of Iraq (2 May 2003-28 June 2004) * Iraqi Governance (29 June 2004-15 December 2005) * National Resolution (16 December 2005-9 January 2007) * Iraqi Surge (10 January 2007-31 December 2008) * Iraqi Sovereignty (1 January 2009-31 August 2010) * New Dawn (1 September 2010-31 December 2011) ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170007249 4 1