ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:  10 June 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170012967


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to add the arrowhead device on his Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* Two DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* DD Form 214 
* NGB 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service)
* DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record)
* Letter from National Personnel Records Center
* Self-authored statement
* Letter of Support (Global War on Terrorism History)
* Statement of Support (United States Invasion of Panama)
* Information on Arrowhead Assault Landing

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 that he earned the arrowhead device for Operation Just Cause in Panama, as a member of the 59th Engineers Company, 193rd Infantry Battalion.  He was attached to B Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment for the initial Air Assault and the arrowhead device was credited with the Air Assault.  

3.  The applicant provides the following:

	a.  A self-authored statement dated 13 June 2017.  He states he was stationed first with A Company 536th Engineer Battalion on Fort Kobbe, Panama when they were reflagged as the 59th Engineer Company (Sappers), 193rd Brigade and each squad supported a different Infantry Company within their respective battalions.  He states two line platoons of combat engineers (12) and each platoon supported a different Infantry Battalion in Panama from the 193rd Brigade.  On the night of 19 December 1989, his unit was moved back to Fort Kobbe Infantry Companies that they were supporting.  His Company was told that they would be taking the country of Panama by force later that night and to prepare breaching charges according to the applicant.  He states that they were to leave Fort Kobbe by UH-60 helicopters and a night assault landing on the golf course AT Fort Amador like they had just practiced a few hours before.  They were all assigned chalk numbers and told which UH-60 that they would be flying on.  He states that that he was further briefed that upon landing on Fort Amador that there were supposed to be a wire obstacle and to choose one more man from his demo team.  They would be tasked with taking the obstacle out for mission advancement fortunately, it was gone before they landed according to the applicant.  

	b.  A letter of support from a former platoon leader to the applicant's parents thanking them for their son’s upbringing .  It states that he has performed extremely well and that the applicant is an easy person to work with under demanding circumstances.  The applicant distinguished himself in the initial assault by keeping his head, fulfilling his duties and looking out for his buddies in performing follow on mission and his actions were of the highest caliber according to the letter.

	c.  The statements of support sent in from the applicant and the former platoon leader discusses how he pulled a mine out of the ground and that he and other co-workers were put in for a “V” device, valorous Army Commendation Medal but was denied.

	d.  Global War on Terrorism history sent in from the applicant lists the different units and the corresponding period of service.  

	e.  The applicant also sent in Panama history from the Wikipedia website.  It talks about the history of the invasion of Panama, code named Operation Just Cause.  The article or webpage also discusses the campaign participation credit for 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry.  He also provided information on the history of the United States invasion of Panama between mid-December 1989 and late January 1990.  The history contains a list of units that participated in the invasion in which his unit information is listed.

4.  A review of the applicant’s available service records shows:  

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 10 July 1986.  He held military occupational specialty 12B (Combat Engineer).  

	b.  He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for service with B Company, 82nd Engineer Battalion, from 6 November 1986 to 28 June 1989.  

	c.  He also served in Panama but his exact dates of service or unit of assignment are unknown.  
	d.  On 4 October 1990, he was issued permanent change of station orders from Panama to Fort Polk, LA, reporting on or about 12 December 1990.  He served with the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry at Fort Polk, LA.  

	e.  Department of the Army General Orders Number 31 identifies units credited with assault landings, dated 30 November 1992.  

	f..  He was honorably released from active duty on 20 October 1992.  His DD Form 214 shows he completed 6 years, 3 months and 11 days of active service with 3 years, 11 months, and 25 days of foreign service.  It also shows he was awarded or authorized: 

* Army Achievement Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* Army Lapel Button
* Army Service Ribbon
* Army Superior Unit Award
* Good Conduct Medal (1st Award)
* Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2
* National Defense Service Medal
* Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 2
* Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver with Driver Bar
* Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge Rifle (M16)

* Item 18 (Remarks) no entries regarding deployment to Panama.  

	g.  Following his separation from active duty, he enlisted in the Army national Guard (ARNG) on 25 May 1993 and he was honorably discharged from the ARNG on 24 May 1996.

5.  By regulation (AR 600-8-22):

	a.  An arrowhead device is authorized for wear for participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing, while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission.  Individual assault credit is tied directly to the combat assault credit decision for the unit to which the Soldier is assigned.  A Soldier must actually exit the aircraft or watercraft, as appropriate, to receive assault credit.  Individual assault credit is tied directly to the combat assault credit decision for the unit to which the Soldier is attached or assigned at the time of the assault.  Should a unit be denied assault credit, no assault credit will accrue to the individual Soldiers of that unit.  The unit must be credited with a combat assault in order for the Soldier to receive credit for a combat assault and the Soldier must physically exit the aircraft or the watercraft as appropriate. The arrowhead is authorized for wear on the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

	b.  An arrowhead is authorized only for members of the units listed in Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 31, dated 1992, who actually participated in a landing in Panama on 20 December 1989.  A bronze service star affixed to the Parachutist Badge is authorized for members of the unit listed in DAGO 31, 1992 for participation in combat parachute jump on 20 December 1989.

6.  DAGO Number 31, dated 1992 listed the units that received assault landing credit. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that relief was not warranted.  Based upon the applicant in which the unit was serving not being reflected on General Order 31, the Board concluded that the applicant’s requested relief was not supported by the available evidence.  Therefore, the Board recommended denying the applicant’s request for relief.

BOARD VOTE:
Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

X	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 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) 600-8-22 (Military Awards), currently in effect, prescribes the Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations.  

	a.  The arrowhead device is authorized for wear for participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing, while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission.  A Soldier must actually exit the aircraft or watercraft, as appropriate, to receive assault credit. Individual assault credit is tied directly to the combat assault credit decision (see para 7–25) for the unit to which the Soldier is attached or assigned at the time of the assault. Should a unit be denied assault credit, no assault credit will accrue to the individual Soldiers of that unit. 

	b.  The Arrowhead is authorized only for members of the 173d Airborne Brigade who actually participated in a landing in the vicinity of Katum, Republic of Vietnam, between the hours of 0900–0907, inclusive, on 22 February 1967.  It is worn on the service and suspension ribbons of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Only one arrowhead will be worn on any ribbon.

	c.  Arrowhead is authorized only for members of the units listed in DAGO 31, 1992, who actually participated in a landing in Panama on 20 December 1989. A bronze service star affixed to the Parachutist Badge is authorized for members of the unit listed in DAGO 31, 1992 for participation in combat parachute jump on 20 December 1989.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170012967


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