PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:     

	BOARD DATE:           14 FEBRUARY 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002066551

	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. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. John E. Denning		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 that his records be corrected to reflect award of a second Meritorious Service Medal.  He states that his 2001 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) reflects entitlement to only one Meritorious Service Medal.  In support of his request he submits a copy of the award citation and confirmation orders.

3.  Information available to the Board indicates the applicant served on active duty between 1992 and 2001, with 2 years of active service prior to 1992.  In July 2001, while assigned to the Lubbock Recruiting Company, his Battalion Commander recommended him for award of the Meritorious Service Medal.  The award recognized the applicant's meritorious service as commander of the Lubbock Recruiting Company between 27 May 2000 and 11 August 2001.  The award was initiated as a result of the applicant's scheduled separation from active duty.  The award recommendation indicates the applicant had previously been awarded a Meritorious Service Medal and this award, if approved, would constitute his second Meritorious Service Medal.  Copies of the applicant's initial award of the Meritorious Service Medal were not available to the Board.

4.  On 11 August 2001, prior to finalization of the Meritorious Service Medal recommendation, the applicant was released from active duty.  His DD Form 214 reflects entitlement to only one Meritorious Service Medal.

5.  His second award of the Meritorious Service Medal was approved on 
17 October 2001, nearly two months after his separation from active duty, and confirmed in orders issued by Headquarters, U.S. Army Recruiting Command.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who distinguishes himself or herself 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.  Although copies of the applicant's initial award of the Meritorious Service Medal were not available, the Board concludes there is sufficient evidence to confirm the applicant was awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal.  The award recommendation indicates the May 2000-August 2001 award was the applicant's second award and the Board believes the second award was likely omitted from his August 2001 separation document because the award was not finalized until more than 2 months after his separation.  As such, the Board concludes it would be appropriate, and in the interest of justice, to correct the applicant's records accordingly.

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 that the individual concerned was awarded two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__JNS __  __BJE  __  __JED __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_____John N. Slone_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002066551	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020214	
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.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.