RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 13 October 2005 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20050000929 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 Mr. David S. Griffin Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Mr. Ted S. Kanamine Chairperson Mr. Patrick H. McGann Jr. Member Ms. Carol A. Kornhoff Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, that her military service records be corrected to show award of the Meritorious Service Medal for service during the period from 28 August 1990 to 30 November 1991. 2. The applicant states, in effect, that she received the award after she was discharged. 3. The applicant provides a copy of a Certificate for the Award of the Meritorious Service Medal for the period from 28 August 1990 to 30 November 1991 awarded on 4 February 1992. The certificate was authenticated by General Alfred J. Mallette, Commanding General, United States Army Communications- Electronics Monmouth, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and Mr. Michael P. W. Stone, Secretary of the Army. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant is requesting correction of an alleged error which occurred on 30 November 1991, the date of her discharge. The application submitted in this case is dated 29 December 2004 and was received on 20 January 2005. 2. Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse failure to file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines that it would be in the interest of justice to do so. In this case, the ABCMR will conduct a review of the merits of the case to determine if it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. 3. The applicant's military records show that she enlisted on 9 November 1983 for a period of 4 years. She reenlisted on 1 September 1987 for a period of 4 years. 4. The applicant was assigned to the United States Army Garrison (USAG) at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey during the period from 17 December 1990 to 30 November 1991. 5. On 30 November 1991, the applicant was discharged due to expiration of term of service. She had completed 8 years and 22 days of active service that was characterized as honorable. The highest grade held by the applicant was sergeant/pay grade E-5. 6. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) with a separation date of 30 November 1991 does not contain an entry for the Meritorious Service Medal. 7. There are no orders awarding the applicant the Meritorious Service Medal. 8. General Alfred J. Mallette was the Commanding General, United States Army Communications- Electronics Monmouth, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey during the period from July 1990 to July 1992. 9. Mr. Michael P. W. Stone was the Secretary of the Army during the period from 14 August 1989 to 20 January 1993. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends that her military service records should be corrected to show award of the Meritorious Service Medal for service during the period from 28 August 1990 to 30 November 1991. 2. The applicant served at Fort Monmouth during the period indicated on the award. 3. The certificates were signed by the appropriate commander, serving as Commanding General, United States Army Communications-Electronics Monmouth, Fort Monmouth at the time, and the Secretary of the Army, appointed at the time. 4. Based on the preponderance of the evidence in this case, it is appropriate to accept a copy of the certificate as authentication of entitlement to the Meritorious Service Medal. Therefore, in the interest of justice, it is appropriate to correct the applicant's military records to show award of the Meritorious Service Medal for service during the period from 28 August 1990 to 30 November 1991. BOARD VOTE: ___cak __ ___phm__ ___tsk__ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief and to excuse failure to timely file. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing award of the Meritorious Service Medal for the period from 28 August 1990 to 30 November 1991. ______Ted S. Kanamine____ CHAIRPERSON INDEX CASE ID AR20050000929 SUFFIX RECON YYYYMMDD DATE BOARDED 20051013 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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.