RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 31 May 2007 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070000077 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. Mr. Gerard W. Schwartz Acting Director Ms. Wanda L. Waller Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Mr. William Crain Chairperson Mr. Donald Lewy Member Mr. Roland Venable Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Combat Action Badge, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. 2. The applicant states, in effect, that he was awarded the Combat Action Badge and the Overseas Service Ribbon after his release from active duty. He contends that he served in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 for period ending 9 May 2004; orders for the Combat Action Badge; an excerpt from the Military Awards Branch website; and a memorandum authorizing wear of the Overseas Service Ribbon. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 2. The applicant was ordered to active duty on 16 February 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as a civil affairs officer and was released from active duty on 9 May 2004. 3. The applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 May 2004 shows the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), the Army Achievement Medal (2d Award), the Presidential Unit Citation (Navy-Marine Corps), the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (5th Award), the National Defense Service Medal (2d Award), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal (2d Award), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Ten-Year Device – Gold, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Mobilization (2d Award), the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (5th award), the United Nations Medal, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal as authorized awards. 4. Item 18 (Remarks) on the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows that he was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and that he served in Kuwait and Iraq from 22 March 2003 to 21 March 2004. 5. Headquarters, United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) Permanent Orders C179-54, dated 28 June 2006, show the applicant received the Combat Action Badge for actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy on 16 January 2004. 6. A memorandum, dated 22 January 2007, from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 358th Civil Affairs Brigade in Norristown, Pennsylvania states the applicant was authorized to wear the Overseas Service Ribbon for overseas service in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 7. On 24 May 2007, the applicant was notified by separate correspondence that he was eligible for the GWOTEM and the Iraq Campaign Medal for qualifying service in Iraq; however, he could only receive one of these service medals in recognition for his service in Iraq. He was also advised that if he chose the Iraq Campaign Medal, the GWOTEM would be removed from his DD Form 214. The applicant responded on 24 May 2007 and requested award of the Iraq Campaign Medal. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states that individuals authorized the Iraq Campaign Medal must have served in direct support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). The area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the country of Iraq, and the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles. The Iraq Campaign Medal period of eligibility is on or after 19 March 2003 to a future date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense or the cessation of OIF. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Orders show the applicant received the Combat Action Badge. 2. The memorandum provided by the applicant which shows he is authorized to wear the Overseas Service Ribbon is accepted as sufficient evidence on which to amend his DD Form 214 to show this ribbon. 3. Based on the applicant's service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he is entitled to award of the Iraq Campaign Medal. Based on his decision to be awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal in lieu of the GWOTEM, it would be appropriate to remove the GWOTEM from his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 May 2004 and add the award of the Iraq Campaign Medal. BOARD VOTE: WC____ __DL____ __RV____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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: a. deleting the entry, “GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL” in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 May 2004; and b. amending this DD Form 214 to add the Combat Action Badge, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. __William Crain_______ CHAIRPERSON INDEX CASE ID AR20070000077 SUFFIX RECON DATE BOARDED 20070531 TYPE OF DISCHARGE DATE OF DISCHARGE DISCHARGE AUTHORITY DISCHARGE REASON BOARD DECISION GRANT REVIEW AUTHORITY ISSUES 1. 107.0000 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.