PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                24 February 1999              
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1998012653

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Mark D. Manning		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 her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

3.  The applicant states that she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 8 November 1995 which was shortly before her separation date and it should be added in block 13 of her DD Form 214 and noted in her Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).  In support of her application, the applicant submitted a DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) and a award certificate for award of the Meritorious Service Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that she entered active duty on 8 July 1990 and completed basic and advanced individual training as a judge advocate. She completed three years of foreign service and was honorably released from active duty on 31 December 1995.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Meritorious Service Medal as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant submitted a DA Form 638 which shows she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by 10th Mountain Division Permanent Order Number 312-1, dated 8 November 1995.  She also submitted an award certificate for award of the Meritorious Service Medal for meritorious service during the period 6 June 1990 to 15 November 1995.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to a members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service in a noncombat area.  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 Meritorious Service Medal; therefore, she is entitled to correction of her records to show this award.

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 the individual concerned was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF____  MDM____  BJE____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Calvin M. Fowler
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998012653	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990224	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.