Posted on Feb 20, 2017
Were deployments to El Salvador documented in Military service records from 1981-1992?
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Awards
Military History
Cold War
El Salvador
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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many folks in 7th and 5 SF Groups were credited with Combat Tours and CIBs and other Combat relate awards... and some with Multiple tours...
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Yes. In some cases CIBs and decorations for valor were awarded as well, but years later.
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Thanks for everyone's help in this. Great info and educational for myself. I served during the El Salvador time-frame, and met many vets that were honest about their service, but like I said, so many can use another's ignorance of the classification of this conflict to their "Stolen Valor" advantage.
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A few more details, and why I asked this question. The US claimed the military members were advisers only. It was not until 1996, that the Gov't finally admitted it was a combat zone. Since 1996, veterans are entitled to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Combat patches, Oversea Service Bars, and can be recommended for Valor Medals. But prior to that, and during the war, service members would not receive any recognition of combat service in that area.
So I'm just wondering if Advisory or any other service was at least recorded on military record briefs during that time. If not, it opens the way for "Stolen Valor". I've talked to veterans who claim they did "Secret-squirrel, Ranger-danger, Army-Seal, Ninja-Operations" in El Salvador, but their record is sealed. They do not even have it listed on their record brief. I find that odd, because I would think they would at least be recorded as an Adviser.
Thanks for enlightening us, and if you did serve in El Salvador during that time..... "Thanks you for your service..... and welcome home!"
So I'm just wondering if Advisory or any other service was at least recorded on military record briefs during that time. If not, it opens the way for "Stolen Valor". I've talked to veterans who claim they did "Secret-squirrel, Ranger-danger, Army-Seal, Ninja-Operations" in El Salvador, but their record is sealed. They do not even have it listed on their record brief. I find that odd, because I would think they would at least be recorded as an Adviser.
Thanks for enlightening us, and if you did serve in El Salvador during that time..... "Thanks you for your service..... and welcome home!"
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SPC Erich Guenther
MSG, I've run into that issue myself and honestly the Special Forces Community knows who was there and who was not via their own means. I believe it was only 50 advisors in El Salvador at one time so we are not talking a large number there. If you ever need help with the clarification in the future Professional Soldiers dot com can help you with the vetting. They are really good with poser identification. Just a FYI, there was a limited amount of Active Duty Army involved in Nicaraqua but they were not Special Forces I believe mostly Army Aviation flying communication intercept planes. I thought they were working for the CIA via Army Intelligence but I have no real clue how that stuff worked back then. However, if you run into Regular Army Infantry troops making the claim they served in either area......time to throw the BS flag.
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SPC Erich Guenther
Their goal failed because Congressional Democrats eventually cancelled aid and passed the Boland Amendment in a classic CUT and RUN scenario, leading to the whole Iran-Contra affair later. I think LTC. Oliver North haunted by what went on in Vietnam attempted to keep a lifeline of funding for the Contras still in the field via his infamous weapons deal to Iran. Don't approve of the means but I think his heart was in the right place instead of just abandoning them to starve or get captured in the field. Though I am not so sure of the whole security fence deal.
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