ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 26 September 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180002524 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his service record to reflect orders for wear of the: * Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR) * United States Coast Guard (USCG) Operations Service Ribbon * USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal * Humanitarian Service Medal * Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA) * 9th Infantry Regiment (Manchu) Belt Buckle APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DA Form 2A (Personnel Qualification Record) * The Manchu Buckle Article * Transmittal for USCG Awards * DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) with note 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 the Humanitarian Service Medal, JMUA, USCG Special Operations Ribbon, and USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation were retroactively awarded for Joint Task Force (JTF) 160. Many Soldiers were unaware they were retroactively awarded to service members that specifically requested the awards for service in JTF160 during December 1994 to May 1995. He is also requested award of the OSR because new regulations have been implemented and he should qualify under Army Regulation (Overseas Service – Assignment, Details, and Transfers) 614-30, Table 3-2, Rule 2. He has participated in four Manchu mile marches while assigned to 7th Infantry Division, 3-9th Infantry Regiment, and he believes all members of the unit are allowed to wear and should have received orders for the Manchu Buckle. 3. The applicant provides: a. A Personnel Qualification Record with a 25 August 1995 preparation date. b. The Manchu Buckle article which provides the history of the unique belt buckle and the distinctive insignia pin which derived from General Order Number 5, dated 25 July 1926, 9th Infantry, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. c. Transmittal for USCG awards, dated 24 December 2009, which states a review of the record indicated he was entitled to the USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation and the USCG Special Operations Service Ribbon. d. DD Form 214 with a note that states there are no orders, no blanket orders, and he needs orders for current wear due to serving in the U.S. Army Reserve. He also needs the orders for promotion points and to be able to wear the award for his Department of the Army (DA) photo. 4. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 15 January 1993. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3/9th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, WA as an 11B, Infantryman. b. The record is void of documentation noting during the term of his enlistment he completed foreign service time. His DD Form 214 has no time entered in Block 12f. (Foreign Service). There is no documentation regarding completion of the Manchu March. c. On 26 October 1995, he was honorably released from active duty. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 2 years, 9 months, and 12 days of active service. It also shows he was awarded or authorized: * Joint Meritorious Unit Award * National Defense Service Medal * Humanitarian Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Ribbon with Rifle Bar * Expert Infantryman Badge 5. By regulation (AR 635-5), currently in effect, provides for the preparation and distribution of the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. 6. By regulation (AR 600-8-22), the Overseas Service Ribbon, is awarded to all members of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in an active Reserve status for successful completion of overseas tours. 7. The Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM), established by E.O. 11965, 19 January 1977, recognizes Service members who, after 1 April 1975, distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in a Department of Defense or Department of the Army approved significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. The HSM may be awarded to individual Service members, or entire military units. A list of all approved HSM operations can be found at the Department of Defense Personnel and Readiness Awards Page. The HSM was awarded to JTF 160 for Operation Sea Signal from 20 May 1994 to 15 April 1996 for the areas of Haiti and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 8. Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 96, dated 2001, awarded Joint Task Force 160 and participating units the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from 20 May 1994 to 19 May 1995. 9. Only federally recognized awards are authorized on the DD Form 214. The Army Decorations Board confirmed that the 9th Infantry Belt Buckle is not covered by AR 600- 8-22. 10. General Order Number 5, dated 25 June 1926, stated the 9th Infantry Belt Buckle is authorized for wear by officers and enlisted personnel of the 9th Infantry Regiment (Manchu) while assigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment. The rigger belt is part of the uniform ensemble, as noted in AR 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia). According to the Manchu Organization website, the buckle worn by todays Manchus could be considered an award buckle of sorts. Manchus must earn the right to wear the buckle. To earn this right a Manchu must complete the Manchu Mile, an overnight 25 mile tactical march, with full gear and weapon. This Manchu Mile commemorates the 85 mile march the 9th Regiment completed in early July 1900, from Taku Bar to Tientsin for their assault on Tientsin on July 13, 1900. Those Manchus who complete this march receive and are authorized to wear the Manchu buckle. If a Soldier completes three Manchu Miles during his tour of duty in Korea, he is awarded the Army Achievement Medal as well. 11. Awards on behalf of the United States Coast Guard are not within the purview of the Board. The applicant must submit his request for awards through the Service Secretary. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief was not warranted. Board members understood that USCG awards are not within their purview as they are not Army medals and not appropriate for including on the DD Form 214. They also understood that the Belt Buckle is a local award given to service members who serve in that particular unit, but is not appropriate for inclusion on an Army or DoD document, such as the DD Form 214. The Board members further noted that the HSM and JMUA area already listed on his DD Form 214. Finally, based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board found no record of his service in Korea or the length of such service. Board members voted to deny. 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 that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. 10/17/2019 X CHAIRPERSON Signed by: 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) 635-5 (Separation Documents), currently in effect, provides for the preparation and distribution of the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. 3. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) in effect at the time, prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military awards. The Overseas Service Ribbon may be awarded to all members of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in an active Reserve status for successful completion of overseas tours. 4. The Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM), established by Executive Order 11965, 19 January 1977, recognizes Service members who, after 1 April 1975, distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in a Depart of Defense or Department of the Army approved significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. The HSM may be awarded to individual Service members, or entire military units. A list of all approved HSM operations can be found at the Department of Defense Personnel and Readiness Awards Page. The HSM was awarded to Joint Task Force 160 for Operation Sea Signal from 20 May 1994 to 15 April 1996 for the areas of Haiti and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 5. Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 96, dated 2001, awarded Joint Task Force 160 and participating units the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from 20 May 1994 to 19 May 1995. 6. Army Regulation 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia), currently in effect, states the rigger belt is worn so that the tipped end passes through the buckle to the wearers left, the end will not extend more than 2 inches beyond the edge of the buckle. The buckle is attached to the end of the black web belt with the brass tip and is worn with service and dress uniforms. NOTHING FOLLOWS