MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  6 March 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2000050191

	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	
	Mr. Vic Whitney		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz		Member	
	Mr. Harry B. Oberg		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:  That his records be corrected to show an award of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), four meritorious citations, and the Cold War Recognition Certificate.

APPLICANT STATES:  That the whole communications center received the ARCOM but he did not.  He submits no documentation in support of his request.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He enlisted and entered active duty on 25 February 1969.  He was trained as a communications center specialist and assigned to Vietnam.  He was promoted to the pay grade of E-4 effective 9 February 1970.

He was separated from active duty on 21 October 1970 by reason of hardship and transferred to the Army Reserve.  His DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the ARCOM as an authorized award.  There are no award orders or certificate for the ARCOM in the applicant’s available records.  Additionally there are no copies of any meritorious citations in his available records.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the ARCOM is awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguishes themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service.  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.  There are regulatory provisions for lost recommendations but not for late recommendations, reconsideration, nor for upgrading to a more prestigious award.  The regulation also provides that there is no automatic entitlement to an award upon departure either from an assignment or from the service.  Furthermore, the Army discourages self-aggrandizement and precludes individuals from recommending themselves for awards.

The Cold War Recognition Certificate is not governed by the awards regulation and not an authorized item of entry on the DD Form 214.

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 of record, and none provided by the applicant, to show that he was awarded or otherwise entitled to an award of the ARCOM.

2.  There are no citations in the available records that are authorized to be recorded on his DD Form 214.  The Cold War Recognition Certificate is not an authorized entry on the DD Form 214.

3.  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.

4.  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

_sk___  ___el_____  ___ho_____  DENY APPLICATION

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

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000050191	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010306	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.