IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 20 May 2010 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090019654 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, through his Congressional representative, the Southwest Asia Service Medal be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) 2. The applicant states he did not receive the Southwest Asia Service Medal. 3. The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214 and a letter from the National Personnel Records Center to his Congressional Representative. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (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. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's military personnel records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 3 January 1989 for a period of 2 years and 14 weeks. He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded the military occupational specialty of 11M (Fighting Vehicle Infantryman). 3. The Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) compiled a Desert Shield/Storm Data Base that contains one record for each active duty member who served in-theater between 2 August 1990 and 31 July 1991. A Phase II file lists active duty personnel who served in-theater between 1 August 1991 and 31 December 1993. There are also separate files covering calendar years 1994 and 1995. 4. The DMDC Desert Shield/Storm Data Base shows the applicant participated in-theater during the period 1 October 1990 to 15 April 1991. 5. On 7 June 1991, the applicant was released from active duty. He had completed 2 years, 5 months, and 5 days of active service that was characterized as honorable. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 does not show he is authorized the Southwest Asia Service Medal or any other Desert Shield/Storm award. 6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that service in the Persian Gulf War is to be recognized by award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal 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) * Liberation and Defense of Kuwait (17 January to 11 April 1991) * Cease-Fire Campaign (12 April 1991 to 30 November 1995) 7. Army Regulation 600-80-22 states the Kuwait Liberation Medal awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was approved on 3 January 1992 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in the Persian Gulf War between 17 January 1991 and 28 February 1991. 8. Army Regulation 600-80-22 states the Kuwait Liberation Medal awarded by the Government of Kuwait was approved on 9 November 1995 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in the Persian Gulf War between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends he is authorized the Southwest Asia Service Medal. 2. The DMDC Desert Shield/Storm Data Base shows the applicant participated in-theater during the period from 1 October 1990 to 15 April 1991. Therefore, he is entitled to the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service stars. 3. Based on his service in-theater the applicant is also authorized the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait. BOARD VOTE: ____X__ ___X____ ___X____ 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 amending item 13 of his DD Form 214 to show he is authorized the: * Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service stars * Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia * Kuwait Liberation Medal - Government of Kuwait _______ _ X _______ ___ CHAIRPERSON 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. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090019654 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090019654 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1