ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 11 June 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170008093 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show in block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) award of any unit award for service in Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait and Korean Defense Service. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) 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 there are no annotations on his DD Form 214 dated 27 December 2001 of any of his military campaigns, overseas assignments, hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay. He requests that his personnel file and history of all commands or units he was assigned to be reviewed in efforts to receive any unit awards (i.e. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, etc.). 3. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 14 November 1990. b. His DA Form 2166-7 (Noncommissioned Evaluation Report (NCOER), shows the following: * from July 1997 to January 1998 he did four rigorous months in Kuwait * from February 1998 to January 1999 he was deployed to Bosnia and completed all missions during Operation Joint Forge * from February 1999 through April 1999 he assumed duties as a squad leader in Bosnia * he was assigned to Charlie Company, 20th Engineer Battalion (Mechanics) (C Co, 20th ENG BN (MECH)), Fort Hood, TX and Operation Joint Forge, APO f. He retired from active duty on 27 December 2001. He completed 11 years, 1 month and 14 days of active service. His DD Form 214 shows in: * Block 12f (Foreign Service), 3 years, 5 months, and 21 days of foreign service * Block 13, he was awarded or authorized in block 13: * Army Lapel Button * Army Commendation Medal * Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) * Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award) * National Defense Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar * Block 18 (Remarks), No listing of any deployments 4. On 15 November 2012, he was issued a DD Form 215 that corrected his DD Form 214 from disability severance pay to disability retirement. 5. There is no indication (entry on a personnel record, award certificate, orders, or other documents) that show he served in Korea. 6. On 30 May 2019, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service verified the following combat zones and dates for the applicant: * Kuwait - 1 February 1997 to 30 June 1997 * Bosnia - 1 September 1998 to 31 March 1999 7. Research on the 20th Engineer Battalion’s unit history from GlobalSecurity.org shows that in the fall of 1995, C Co, 20th ENG BN (MECH)), and a portion of the Headquarters deployed with Task Force 2-8th Cavalry to the mountains of Korea in support of Operation Foal Eagle. The deployed Soldiers trained Republic of Korea Soldiers, learned the Korean landscape and culture, and honed their war-fighting skills. 8. The following portion of history aligns with what is stated in the applicant’s DA Form 2166-7’s and the information from DFAS in paragraph 4 above: In February 1997, C Company again deployed, this time with Task Force 1-7th Cavalry to the sands of Kuwait in support of Operation Sand Saber. The Soldiers of Castle built ranges, trained with Kuwaiti Soldiers and redeployed in June 1997. In September 1998 the battalion deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina to support peacekeeping operations for Operation Joint Forge. 9. By regulation (AR 635-8), when completing the DD Form 214, in block 12f (Foreign Service), enter the total amount of service performed outside the continental United States (OCONUS) during the period covered in block 12c. In addition, list periods of deployed service in block 18. For active duty Soldiers deployed with their unit during their continuous period of active service, enter only “SERVICE IN (NAME OF COUNTRY DEPLOYED) FROM (inclusive dates).” 10. By regulation (AR 600-8-22): a. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is authorized for participants in military operations within a specific geographic area during a specified time period. An individual, who was not engaged in actual combat or equally hazardous activity, must have participated in operations or in direct support of operations for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. b. The Kosovo Campaign Medal is awarded to service members who, after 24 March 1999 participated in or served in direct support of Kosovo Operation(s): Allied Force; Joint Guardian; Allied Harbour; Sustain Hope/Shining Hope; Noble Anvil; Or Kosovo Task Force(S): Saber, Hunter, Hawk, or Falcon within the Kosovo Air Campaign or Kosovo Defense Campaign areas of eligibility. c. The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the U.S. who deployed abroad for service in Global War on Terrorism operations on or after 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined. d. The Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the U.S. who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea, from July 1954 to a date to be determined. e. The Armed Forces Service Medal is authorized for participants in military operations within a specific geographic area during a specified time period. An individual, who encountered no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action, be a member of a unit that deployed to participate in a designated U.S. military operation within the area of operations for 30 consecutive days (or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days duration) or for 60 nonconsecutive days. f. The Distinguished Unit Citation was redesignated the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) effective 3 November 1966, and is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after 7 December 1941. A unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. g. The Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) was authorized for units and/or detachments of the Armed Forces of the U.S. for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months in support of military operations. BOARD DISCUSSION: After review of the application and all evidence, the Board agreed relief was warranted. The Board determined that the documentary evidence provided by the applicant or found within the military personnel file was sufficient to grant adding the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. However, the Board concluded there was other relief 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 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 adding the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board noted the administrative note below from the analyst of record and recommended making that correction as well to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. 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): A review of the applicant’s service records shows he is eligible for an award not listed on his DD Form 214. As a result, amend his DD Form 214 to show in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons awarded or authorized) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 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 (AR) 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents), provides principles of support, standards of service, policies, tasks, rules, and steps governing required actions in the field to support processing personnel for separation and preparation of separation documents. It establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. a. Paragraph 5-6l (6), block 12f (Foreign Service), enter the total amount of service performed outside the continental United States (OCONUS) during the period covered in block 12c. In addition, list periods of deployed service in block 18. b. Paragraph 5-6r (4) (g), for active duty Soldiers deployed with their unit during their continuous period of active service, enter only “SERVICE IN (NAME OF COUNTRY DEPLOYED) FROM (inclusive dates).” 3. AR 600-8--22 (Military Awards) in effect at the time, prescribes the policies and procedures for military awards and decorations. a. Paragraph 2–13 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in United States (U.S.) military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, and U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations. Qualifying service for this award includes the requirements to be a bona fide member in a unit and to be engaged in the operation or serve in the area of operations for 30 days, be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days provided support involves entering the area of operations, be engaged in combat, participate as a member of an aircraft flying in support of the operation, or be recommended or attached to a unit recommended for award of the medal if the above criteria have not been met. (1) Table 2-3 lists designated U.S. Military Operations, areas, and the dates of eligibility for the AFEM. Korea is listed among the operations and the dates of eligibility are from 1 October 1966 to 30 June 1974. (2) Table 2-4 lists designated U.S. military operations in direct support of the United Nations for the AFEM. Operation Joint Forge (OJF) is listed among the areas with eligibility dates from 21 June 1998 to 2 December 2004. b. Paragraph 2–16, the Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) was established by executive order 13154, 3 May 2000. It is awarded to service members of the Armed Forces of the U.S. who, after 24 March 1999, meet the following criteria: (1) Participated in or served in direct support of Kosovo Operation(s): Allied Force; Joint Guardian; Allied Harbour; Sustain Hope/Shining Hope; Noble Anvil; Or Kosovo Task Force(S): Saber, Hunter, Hawk, or Falcon within the Kosovo Air Campaign or Kosovo Defense Campaign areas of eligibility. (a) Kosovo Air Campaign. The Kosovo Air Campaign began on 24 March 1999 and ended on 10 June 1999. The area of eligibility (AOE) for the air campaign includes the total land area and airspace of Serbia (including Kosovo), Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and Slovenia; and the waters and airspace of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea north of the 39th north latitude. (b) Kosovo Defense Campaign. The Kosovo Defense Campaign began on 11 June 1999 to 31 December 2013. The AOE for the defense campaign includes the total land area and airspace of Serbia (including Kosovo), Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, and the waters and airspace of the Adriatic Seas within 12 nautical miles of the Montenegro, Albania, and Croatia coastlines south of 42 degrees and 52 minutes north latitude. (2) Service members must be bona fide members of a unit participating in or be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the AOE or for 60 nonconsecutive days c. Paragraph 2-22, the Korea Defense Service Medal was authorized by Section 543, National Defense Authorization Act, 2003. It is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the U.S. who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. d. Paragraph 2–23 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Armed Forces Service Medal for qualifying service who, after 1 June 1992, participate, or have participated, as service members of U.S. military units, in a U.S. military operation that is deemed to be a significant activity; and encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action. Service members must be members of a unit that deployed to participate in a designated U.S. military operation within the area of operations for 30 consecutive days (or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days duration) or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involved entering the area of eligibility; or participated as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of the operation. Table 2-6 lists designated U.S. military operations for award of the AFSM. OJF is listed among the areas with eligibility dates from 21 June 1998 to 23 March 1999. Note: Only for participants deployed in support of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia on Solvenia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary, and their respective air space. Only one award of either the AFEM or the AFSM is authorized for participation or direct support of OJF. e. Paragraph 7-12, the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) (Army). Effective 3 November 1966 the Distinguished Unit Citation was redesigned the PUC (Army). The PUC is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the U.S. and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after 7 December 1941. The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air is not sufficient. This award will normally be earned by units which have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans. It is not reasonable to presume that entire units can sustain Distinguished Service Cross performance for extended time periods except under the most unusual circumstances. Only on rare occasions will a unit larger than a battalion qualify for award of this decoration f. Paragraph 7-14, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) (Army) (previously called the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque) is awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services for at least 6 continuous months during the period of military operations against an armed enemy occurring on or after 1 January 1944. Service in a combat zone is not required, but must be directly related to the combat effort. Units based in continental U.S. are excluded from this award, as are other units outside the area of operation. The unit must display such outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set it apart and above other units with similar missions. The degree of achievement required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Legion of Merit to an individual. Recommendations for units larger than a brigade will not be submitted. For services performed during World War II, awards will be made only to service units and only for services performed between 1 January 1944 and 15 September 1946. (1) Effective 1 March 1961, the MUC was authorized for units and/or detachments of the Armed Forces of the U.S. for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months in support of military operations. Service(s), as used in this paragraph, is interpreted to relate to combat service support type activities and not to the type of activities performed by senior headquarters, combat, or combat support units. (2) Effective 11 September 2001, the MUC is authorized for units and/or detachments of the Armed Forces of the U.S. for exceptionally meritorious performance for at least 6 continuous months (a month is considered 30 calendar days) during military operations against an armed enemy without regard to type of duties performed or the type of unit performing the duties. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170008093 5 1