MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           29 March 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000035890

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		Chairperson	
	Mr. Mark D. Manning		Member	
	Mr. James P. Steuve		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

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

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, that his Certificate of Achievement be recorded on his DD Form 214 as the Army Medal of Achievement.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he believes the Certificate of Achievement represents the Army Medal of Achievement.  If it does not and it is not recorded on his DD Form 214, then it is not worth the paper it is written on.  

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973.  The following information was obtained from reconstructed records.  

The applicant entered active duty on 8 June 1951.  He received a Headquarters, VII Corps Certificate of Achievement for his “constant and conscientious devotion to duty as photo interpreter, G2 Section, from 23 March 1952 to 23 April 1953."  He was released from active duty on 14 May 1953.

Department of the Army Memorandum 600-45-3 dated 18 February 1948 states that commanding officers may recognize periods of faithful service or achievements which do not meet the standards required for decorations by issuing only to individual United States military personnel and United States civilian citizens a Certificate of Achievement.

Army Regulation 600-45, Personnel Decorations, in effect at the time did not provide for award of a “Medal of Achievement.”  The Army Achievement Medal was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, the current regulation in effect, does not provide for the conversion of certificates of achievement from any period of service to the Army Achievement Medal.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

2.  The VII Corps Certificate of Achievement was a valid certificate given to the applicant to recognize his meritorious performance of duty.  However, it was not the equivalent of a military “decoration,” is not convertible to the current Army Achievement Medal, and so is not authorized to be entered on his DD Form 214.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__rgh___  __mdm___  __jps___  DENY APPLICATION

Karl F. Schneider
Director, Army Review Boards Agency

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000035890	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000329	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.