PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 14 March 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2001063436

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Joann Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		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 award of the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized).

3.  The applicant states that Block 13 of his DD Form 214 does not include his Army Commendation Medal for the period 22 January 1999 to 25 July 1999 and the National Defense Service Medal.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and an award certificate for the Army Commendation Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 8 March 1995.  He successfully completed basic and advanced individual training and served as an armor crewman in Korea from 5 July 1995 through 4 July 1996. The applicant was honorably discharged from active duty on 25 July 1999. 

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Army Commendation Medal or the National Defense Service Medal as authorized awards.

6.  Records show the applicant was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia from 29 July 1996 until he was separated from active duty on 25 July 1999.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate from the Military Police Activity at Fort Benning, Georgia.  This certificate shows that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the period 22 January 1997 to 25 July 1999 based on Permanent Order Number 193-71.

7.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows the National Defense Service Medal in item 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaigns).

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the Army Commendation Medal to the applicant.  However, the applicant has provided an award certificate which shows he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service from 22 January 1997 to 25 July 1999.  Upon review, the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as a basis for award of the Army Commendation Medal.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of item 13 on his DD Form 214 to show award of the Army Commendation Medal.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served a period of qualifying service for award of the National Defense Service Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the National Defense Service Medal and correction of item 13 on his DD Form 214 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 the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

JL______  RWA____  WTM____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Joann Langston________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001063436	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020314	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0020	
2.	107.0069	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.