PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                 27 January 2000 
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999028066

	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.  

	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		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, in effect, that her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be corrected to show that she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that the award of the Meritorious Service Medal was approved after her separation.  In support of her application she submits a copy of her DD Form 214 and an award certificate for the Meritorious Service Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that she entered active duty on 13 November 1986.  She continued to serve through a series of continuous reenlistments until she was honorably discharged on 13 June 1998.

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

6.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, which shows that she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 16 June 1998.

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.  Recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 16 June 1998.  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 in item 13 (Decorations and Awards) of her DD Form 214 that she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. 

BOARD VOTE:  

INW____  SK______  EJA_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Irene N. Wheelwright__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999028066	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000127	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19980613	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR  635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  63		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.