APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his record be corrected to show that he was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM).

APPLICANT STATES:  That in 1980 his unit was sent to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin to protect Cuban refugees and people in the surrounding cities.  He received the HSM from his commander but the award was never recorded in his record.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He enlisted in the Regular Army for 4 years on 31 January 1980.  After training as an infantryman he served at Fort Carson, Colorado and in Panama before being honorably discharged in pay grade E-2 on 30 January 1984.  His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, list his awards as the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Expert Badge with rifle bar and the Marksman Badge with hand grenade bar.

Neither his personnel qualification record nor his military personnel file contain any evidence to indicate that he participated in a humanitarian operation or was recommended for the HSM.

During the processing of this case the staff of the Board ascertained from the US Total Army Personnel Command that it does not maintain a record of individuals awarded the HSM.

Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides, in part, that the HSM is awarded to members of the armed forces of the US who distinguish themselves by meritorious direct participation in a Department of Defense approved significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature.  It is not awarded for participation in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights to citizens or protection of properties.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The record does not show and the applicant has not provided any evidence to support his contention that he was awarded the HSM.

2.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there appears to be no basis for granting the applicant’s request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT          

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




						David R. Kinneer
						Executive Secretary