ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  12 July 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180013218


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of his service record to reflect award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* Memorandum of Eligibility for Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) and NATO Medal dated 31 October 1996
* National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Letter dated 19 September 2018
* Issue Regulations Excerpt for Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM)
* AFEM Authorized Operations
* Code of Federal Regulations Title 32 Section 578.25
* DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge)
* 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 he would like official documentation of the AFEM awarded for his service in Bosnia.  He requests his record be corrected as the AFEM was omitted from his personnel record.

3.  The applicant provides:

	a.  A memorandum of eligibility for the AFSM and NATO Medals, dated 31 October 1996, which list the applicant as a recipient.

	b.  A letter from the NPRC, dated 19 September 2018, authorized the shipment of numerous awards the recipient was eligible for and documentation was provided or available.

	c.  An excerpt from Issue Regulations on Operation Joint Endeavor which states the Secretary of Defense approved award of the AFEM in addition to the AFSM to qualifying service members participating in, or providing direct support to, Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint Guard.  For the purposes of the award the following dates are provided:

* Operation Joint Endeavor from 20 November 1995 to 19 December 1996
* Operation Joint Guard from 20 December 1996 to 20 June 1998

   d.  A list of authorized operations that have been approved for award of the AFEM which lists:

* Bosnia in Joint Endeavor from 1 June 1992 to 19 December 1996
* Bosnia in Joint Guard from 20 December 1996 to 20 June 1998

   e.  The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 32 Section 578.25 listing the criteria for the AFEM.

   f.  DD Form 214s for time served in the Regular Air Force and the Regular Army.

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

a. Having had prior service, he enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 October 1981.

b.  His foreign service included the following:

* Turkey from 22 November 1983 to 14 December 1984
* Korea from 17 March 1986 to 9 March 1988
* Germany from 30 May 1991 to 21 May 1993
* Bosnia from 30 April 1996 to 27 November 1996

   c.  On 31 January 1998, he was honorably retired from active day.  His DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) shows he was awarded or authorized:

* Meritorious Service Medal
* Army Commendation Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster)
* Army Achievement Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster)
* Good Conduct Medal (5th Award)
* National Defense Service Medal (6th Award)
* NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3
* Army Service Ribbon
* Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 4
* Army Superior Unit Award
* Armed Forces Service Medal
* NATO Medal

5.  By regulation the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is authorized for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in military operations within specific geographic areas during specified time periods.  An individual, who was not engaged in actual combat or equally hazardous activity, must have been a bona fide member of a unit participating in, or be engaged in the direct support of, the operation for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involved entering the area of operations.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the relief was warranted.  The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered.  His record shows he served in Bosnia.  Regulatory guidance provides for the awarding of the AFEM to members who served in Bosnia during the period in which he served.  Based on regulatory guidance, the Board determined there is sufficient evidence to grant relief.

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

X	X	X	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1998.
	 
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.  Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states:

	a.  The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is authorized for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in military operations within specific geographic areas during specified time periods.  An individual, who was not engaged in actual combat or equally hazardous activity, must have been a bona fide member of a unit participating in, or be engaged in the direct support of, the operation for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involved entering the area of operations.  

	b.  The Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea.  The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense.

2.  AR 600-8-22 defines “area of operation” as the foreign territory upon which troops have actually landed or are present and specifically deployed for the direct support of the designated military operation; adjacent water areas in which ships are operating, patrolling, or providing direct support of operations; and the airspace above and adjacent to the area in which operations are being conducted.  “Direct support” is defined as services being supplied to participating forces in the area of eligibility by ground units, ships, and aircraft provided it involves actually entering the designated area of eligibility.  This includes units, ships, and aircraft providing logistic, patrol, guard, reconnaissance, or other military support within the designated area of eligibility.  “Area of eligibility” is defined as the foreign territory on which troops have actually landed or are present and specifically deployed for the operation; adjacent water areas in which ships are operating, patrolling, or providing direct support of the operation; and the air space above and adjacent to the area in which operations are being conducted.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180013218


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