MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           15 February 2001                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000048956

	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.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller 		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn 		Chairperson	
	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson 		Member	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer 		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:  Correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation From Active Duty) to show award of the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). 

APPLICANT STATES:  That he was issued the NDSM and wore this ribbon almost all of his three years in the service.  He contends that his original DD Form 214 must be in error and needs to be corrected in item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized).  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214.  
EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant enlisted on 10 February 1975 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a food service specialist in Panama from 24 June 1975 to 24 March 1977 and was honorably released on 9 February 1978.

The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the NDSM as an authorized award.

There is no evidence in the available records which shows the applicant served a period of qualifying service for award of the NDSM.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 through 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 through 
14 August 1974, and 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995.

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.  There is no evidence available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he served a period of qualifying service for award of the NDSM.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to correction of his military records to show award of the NDSM.  

2.  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 this requirement.

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

FNE____  MKP____  MHM_____  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000048956	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010215	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19780209	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200  Chapter 2	
DISCHARGE REASON	Relief from active duty	
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0069	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.