PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               2 December 1998   
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AC98-11775

	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. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. George d. Paxson		Member	
	Mr. John H. Kern		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 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) (correctly known as the MSM with one Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device (correctly known as the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Mobilization Device).

3.  The applicant states that, in effect, he is entitled to these awards and they are not shown on his DD Form 214.  In support of his application, he submits copies of two award certificates and DA Forms 638 (Recommendation for Award) for the MSM and a letter announcing award of the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Mobilization Device. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show he had served over 25 years in the Army Reserve prior to being ordered to active duty in support of Operation Joint Endeavor.  He was recalled on 19 May 1996, served in Bosnia from 5 June 1996 through 12 December 1996 and was released from active duty on 29 December 1996.  

5.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, dated 10 December 1996, which shows he was awarded the MSM for meritorious service during the period of 7 June 1996 to 1 December 1996.  

6.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, dated 10 January 1997, which shows he was awarded the MSM for meritorious service during the period of 26 June 1993 to 4 April 1996.

7.  On 25 September 1996, the applicant was awarded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Mobilization Device for participation in Operation Joint Endeavor by the United States Army Europe (Forward)/G-5.

8.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  This regulation provides that item 13 of the DD Form 214 will reflect decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized for all periods of service.  Certificates of Achievement, Letters of Appreciation, and similar documents are not recorded on the DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant received two awards of the MSM; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 29 December 1996 to show award of the MSM with one Oak Leaf Cluster. 

2.  The applicant was awarded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Mobilization Device.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 29 December 1996 to show this award.

3.  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 MSM with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Mobilization Device.

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  RDP_____  JHK________  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-11775	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19981202	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19961226	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.