2.  The applicant requests correction of his military records to reflect service in Southwest Asia and associated service medals.  He also asks that he be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal based on his service in Southwest Asia.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 23 August 1988.  In September 1990, while assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, the applicant deployed with his unit to Southwest Asia.  He remained in the theater of operations until April 1991 when he returned to Fort Hood.

4.  On 7 October 1993 the applicant received a general discharge for unsatisfactory performance.  His separation document does not reflect any of the medals associated with service in Southwest Asia.

5.  Service in the Persian Gulf War was recognized by award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) to Army members who participated in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the designated area on or after 2 August 1990.  A bronze service star is authorized for the Defense of Saudi Arabia (2 August 1990 to 16 January 1991), the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait (17 January to 11 April 1991) and a Cease-fire Campaign (12 April 1991 to 30 November 1995).  The Kuwait Liberation Medal(SA) awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was approved on 3 January 1992 and is awarded to those members who participated in the Persian Gulf War from 17 January to 28 February 1991.  The Secretary of Defense accepted an offer by the Government of Kuwait to award the Kuwait Liberation Medal(K) to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993.

6.  The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized for service in the Persian Gulf Area as part of Operation 




Earnest Will (24 July 1987-1 August 1990) and Southern Watch (1 December 1995 to a date to be determined).

7.  Receipt of medals associated with service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War is sufficient to confirm such service.  Item 12f (foreign service) on the DD Form 214 is reserved to reflect overseas service which was performed in a permanent, not temporary, duty status.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record confirms the applicant serviced in Southwest Asia from September 1990 through April 1991 and as such is entitled to the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service stars, and the Kuwait Liberation Medals awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Kuwait.

2.  The applicant was not deployed to Southwest Asia at any time during which the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded and is therefore not eligible for the award.

3.  Although the applicant served for 8 months in Southwest Asia that service would have been performed in a temporary duty status and as such would not be recorded in item 12f (foreign service) on his DD Form 214.  Award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal is sufficient to document that service.

4.  In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the individual concerned the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the Kuwait Liberation Medals awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Kuwait.



2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON