PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            19 November 1998                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-09166

	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. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas A. Pagan		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis 		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests correction of his military records to show award of the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant (currrently known as the Army Commendation Medal).  (Note:  Awards of the Army Commendation Ribbon and of the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant were redesignated by Department of Army General Orders 10, dated 31 March 1960, as awards of the Army Commendation Medal, without amendment of orders previously issued.)

3.  The applicant states he was awarded the “Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant” for meritorious service in Korea during the period 7 July 1952 to
25 July 1953.  In support of his application, he submits copies of a letter, an award certificate and citation announcing award of the “Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant”.

4.  The applicant’s military records were destroyed or lost during the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that he was inducted on 3 January 1952.  He was separated from active duty in the grade of sergeant with an honorable discharge on 2 October 1953.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Certificate of Service Armed Forces of the United States) does not show the “Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant” as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant submitted a copy of an award certificate, dated 26 September 1953, which shows he was awarded the “Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant” for meritorious service during the period 7 July 1952 to 25 July 1953.    

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the “Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant”; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show award of the Army Commendation Medal. 

2.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

FNE____  TAP_____  BJE_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON