IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 22 February 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110014437 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his participation in Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada). 2. The applicant states he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge for his participation in Operation Urgent Fury during the invasion of Grenada. He contends the award is missing from his DD Form 214 because the orders were issued after he was discharged. He has been unable to receive veteran's preference points when applying for employment. 3. The applicant provides his Bronze Star Medal certificate and Combat Infantryman Badge permanent orders in support of his application. 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 record shows he entered active duty in the Regular Army on 2 January 1980. He held and served in military occupational specialties (MOS) 11B (Infantryman). 3. A review of his official military personnel file did not contain any documentation or entries to show he performed any foreign service. 4. On 30 June 1986, he was honorably discharged after completing 6 years, 5 months, and 29 days of active service. The DD Form 214 he was issued shows he: * was assigned to the Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry Brigade * did not complete any foreign service * was awarded: * Army Service Ribbon * Parachute Badge * Senior Parachute Badge * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle (M-16) and Grenade Bars * Army Achievement Medal * Army Commendation Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award) * Combat Infantryman Badge * Bronze Star Medal * Expert Infantryman Badge * Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2nd Award) 5. Item 18 (Remarks) does not contain any entries showing his deployment history. 6. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) maintains Soldiers financial records of all pay and allowances paid to them during their periods of service. Based on his period of service, DFAS was not able to confirm or deny he received imminent danger pay for deployment to Grenada. 7. The applicant provides: a. A Bronze Star Medal Certificate awarded to him on 24 January 1984. The citation states that while serving as a squad leader, assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 505th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, for exceptionally meritorious achievement in actions against a hostile force in the country of Grenada during the period 25 October 1983 to 2 November 1983; and b. Permanent Orders Number 222-157, issued by Headquarters, 82nd Airborne Division, dated 20 December 1983, awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge for engagement in active ground combat during the Grenada Operation (24 October - 2 November 1983). 8. A review of Center of Military History Department of the Army Historical Summary FY 1984 shows that the 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry participated in Operation URGENT FURY. The summary further shows that the unit encountered substantial resistance and was engaged in active ground combat. 9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states 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 participation in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada during the period 23 October 1983 through 21 November 1983. Qualifying service for non-unit direct support personnel in Grenada is 6 consecutive days or 12 non-consecutive days. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 to show the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his participation in Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada). 2. The available evidence clearly shows he served a qualifying period of service in Grenada in support of Operation Urgent Fury during the period 25 October to 2 November 1983. Therefore, it would be appropriate to amend his DD Form 214 to show award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 3. In view of the above, his request should be granted. 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 adding to item 13 of his DD Form 214 the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. _______ _ __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) AR20110014437 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110014437 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1