IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 6 April 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220000582 APPLICANT REQUESTS: The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show: * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal * Korea Defense Service Medal * Armed Forces Service Medal * North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), 30 August 2021 * List of combat zones * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal – Authorized Operations * Army Achievement Medal Certificate, 4 July 1999 * 2A (Personnel Qualification Record), Assignment History * Memorandum, subject: letter of commendation, 14 December 1995 * DA Form 2166-9 (NCO Evaluation Report), September 1998 through August 1999 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) 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 his DD Form 214 should list his award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) for [his participation] in Operation Joint Forge (OJF). His DD Form 214 should also list the Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) for his service [in Korea] from 1995 to 1996. He was honorably discharged prior to the medals being awarded. On 24 March 1999, he was in a C-5 enroute to Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina from Germany. The Kosovo Air War began and they detoured to Hungary. The pilot took evasive maneuvers until escort/help arrived. 3. The applicant provided: a. A listing of combat zone locations, that shows, in part: * Yugoslavia and Croatia (now Bosnia-Herzegovina), for the time period 20 December 1995 to 2 December 2004, consisted of Operation Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, or Joint Forge, aboard U.S. Naval vessels in the Adriatic Sea, or air spaces above these areas * Kosovo, for the time period 24 March 1999 and ongoing, consisted of Operation Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, or Joint Forge, either in its waters or air space b. a listing of AFEM authorized operations, which shows, in part: * Southwest Asia, Operation Vigilant Sentinel, from 1 December 1995 to 15 February 1997 * Southwest Asia, Operation Southern Watch, from 1 December 1995 to 18 March 2003 * Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, Operation Joint Forge, 21 June 1998 to 2 December 2004 c. The list also shows members awarded the AFSM for qualifying service in Bosnia- Herzegovina and Croatia are authorized both the AFSM and AFEM pursuant to Section 572, Public Law 105-85 in accordance with Secretary of Defense guidance approved on 24 February 1999. The Kosovo Campaign Medal transitioned to the AFEM effective 1 January 2014; hence, start date for award of the AFEM does not coincide with the start date of Operation Joint Guardian. d. Army Achievement Medal (AAM) Certificate, which shows, in part, on 4 July 1999, he was awarded the AAM for exceptionally meritorious service while assigned to D Troop, Task Force Dragon from 1 March 1999 to 15 September 1999. [Applicants] dedication, leadership and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Eagle and the U.S. Army. e. DA Form 2166-9 (NCO Evaluation Report), for the rating period September 1998 to August 1999, which shows, in: * Part III (Duty Description) – Areas of Special Emphasis: Training; Safety; Squadron first quarter fiscal year 1999 Aerial Gunnery; Bosnia SFOR5 rotation * Part IV (Values/NCO Responsibilities) – * Competence: Instrumental in the Troop maintaining over a 94% FMC rate, while flying over 1500 hours in a six-month time span during SFOR5 Bosnia * Leadership: Motivated subordinates to work as a cohesive team during the stress deployment, Operation Joint Forge * Responsibility and Accountability: Emphasis on safety resulted in no accidents during the Troops six-month deployment to Bosnia 4. The applicant's records contain sufficient evidence to support additional awards not shown on his DD Form 214. His DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected without Board action to show in Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Armed Forces Service Medal. 5. On 27 July 1993, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. He completed training and he was awarded military occupational specialty 67S (Helicopter Repairmen). 6. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows, in part – a. item 5 (Oversea Service) service in Korea from 15 August 1995 to 14 August 1996. b. item 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaigns) – * Army Service Ribbon * National Defense Service Medal * Non-Commissioned Professional Development Ribbon numeral one * Army Commendation Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Overseas Service Ribbon * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-9) * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) 7. On 26 February 2000, he was honorably released from active duty. His DD Form 214 for this period shows he completed 6 years, and 7 months of net service. His DD Form 214 also shows in Block 13, he was awarded or authorized the: * Army Lapel Button * Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award) * Army Achievement Medal (6th Award) * Army Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Non-Commissioned Professional Development Ribbon numeral one * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar * Driver and Mechanic Badge with driver wheeled bar 8. There is no evidence in his record and he provides none to show he was awarded the NATO Medal by the Secretary General of NATO. 9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the NATO Medal is awarded by the Secretary General of NATO to military and civilian members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participate in designated NATO operations. Operations related to the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (1 July 1992 to 12 October 1998) and Operations related to Kosovo (13 October 1998 to 31 December 2002) have been approved by the Secretary of Defense, for acceptance and wear. Effective 1 January 2011, NATO revised its policy to state that all NATO Medal requests must be submitted within 2 years of leaving the operational area. Request for medals for operations that ended 2 years or more prior to the date of request will not be processed. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's record of service, documents submitted in support of the petition and executed a comprehensive and standard review based on law, policy and regulation. Upon review of the applicant’s petition and available military records the Board determined that is not in the purview of the ABCMR to award the NATO medal. The Board determined based on regulatory guidance the NATO Medal must be awarded by the Secretary General of NATO. The applicant was released from active duty in 2000, the time for submission through NATO channels is two (2) years. Based on the fact and circumstances, the Board denied relief. 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the correction is completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. 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: Except for the correction addressed in Administrative Note(s) below, the Board found 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): A review of the applicant's records show he was awarded or authorized several awards not listed on his DD Form 214. Hs DD Form 214 should be corrected to show in Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), * Korea Defense Service Medal * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal * Armed Forces Service Medal. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-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) states: a. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in 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. The award is authorized for Operation Joint Guard (JG), 20 December 1996 to 20 June 1998, (only for participants deployed in support of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia in Bosnia-Herzegovina) and for and Operation Joint Forge (OJF), 21 June 1998 to 2 December 2004. Only for participants deployed in Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia, aboard naval vessels operating in the Adriatic Sea, and their respective airspace. b. The Armed Forces Service Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States for operations for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is approved and who, after 1 June 1992 participate or have participated as members of U.S. military units in a U.S. military operation deemed to be a significant activity and encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action. Service members must be bona fide members of a unit participating in or engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility (or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days' duration) or 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of eligibility or meet the following criteria: * While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member, accumulates 15 days service (consecutive/nonconsecutive flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area in direct support of the military operations * One day’s service is credited for the first sortie flown on any day. Additional sorties flown on the same day receive no further credit c. The Secretary of Defense approved award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Armed Forces Service Medal to certain participants of OJE and OJG as a one-time exception to policy to DOD and Service policies. Area of Eligibility is the total land area and airspace of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia to include Bosnia- Herzegovina; Croatia, Hungary; and the airspace above portion of the Adriatic Sea that lies north of the 40 degrees north latitude. d. 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. d. The NATO Medal has been approved for U.S. military personnel who serve under NATO command or operational control in direct support of the above NATO operations. The NATO Medal will normally be presented by the Allied Command Europe headquarters exercising operational command or control over U.S. military units or individuals prior to their departure from service with NATO. U.S. service members are authorized to retain the ribbon clasp presented but may not wear the clasp. (1) The following missions/operations have been approved by the Secretary of Defense for acceptance and wear of the NATO Medal: (1) Operations related to the former Republic of Yugoslavia (14 November 1995 to a date to be determined); (2) Operations related to Kosovo (13 October 1998 to a date to be determined); (3) Operation EAGLE ASSIST (12 October 2001 to 16 May 2002); (4) Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR (26 October 2001 to a date to be determined); (5) International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan (1 June 2003 to a date to be determined); and (6) Operations in the Balkans (1 January 2003 to a date to be determined). (2) Effective 1 January 2011, NATO revised its policy to state that all NATO Medal requests must be submitted within 2 years of leaving the operational area. Request for medals for operations that ended 2 years or more prior to the date of request will not be processed. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220000582 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1