IN THE CASE OF:	  

	BOARD DATE:	 
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080007854 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, that orders awarding him the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) be removed from his OMPF (Official Military Personnel File). 

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that his award of the ARCOM was upgraded to a Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and the orders for the Army Commendation Medal should be removed from his OMPF. 

3.  The applicant provides copy of an approved DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) dated 4 February 2007 and certificate dated 9 March 2007 for award of the ARCOM (downgraded from a recommendation for award of the BSM); a copy of a memorandum from the Commanding General (CG), Headquarters, Multi-National Division (Baghdad), subject: Reconsideration of BSM Submission, dated 20 November 2007; and a copy of a DA Form 638, dated 25 October 2007 and certificate (undated) awarding the applicant the BSM, in support of his request.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant’s military records show that he is currently serving on active duty in the rank and pay grade of sergeant first class (SFC/E-7).



2.  The applicant provided a copy of his DA Form 638 which shows that he was recommended for award of the BSM, on 4 February 2007.  His award was downgraded.  As a result, he was awarded the ARCOM for exceptionally meritorious service while assigned as the Network Operations Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) during the period 30 August 2006 to 20 June 2007, by Permanent Orders 068-589, dated 9 March 2007.

3.  A request for the reconsideration for award of the BSM to the applicant was submitted on 25 October 2007.

4.  On 20 November 2007, the CG, Headquarters, Multi-National Division (Baghdad), reconsidered the additional justification provided and approved the request for award of the BSM to the applicant.  The CG directed that the ARCOM originally approved on 9 March 2007, would be revoked and replaced with the BSM.

5.  The applicant provided a copy of his DA Form 638 which shows that he was awarded the BSM for exceptionally meritorious service while assigned as a Platoon Sergeant and the Network Operation NCOIC during OIF during the period 30 August 2006 to 18 November 2007, by Permanent Orders 310-003, dated 13 December 2007. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Despite having been initially recommended for award of the BSM, the applicant was awarded the ARCOM.

2.  The award was subsequently submitted for reconsideration for award of the initially recommended BSM to the applicant.

3.  The request for reconsideration for the BSM was approved by the proper authority, who directed the revocation of the originally awarded ARCOM to be replaced by the newly awarded BSM.

4.  In view of the circumstances in this case, the applicant is entitled to removal from his OMPF all documents pertaining to the originally awarded ARCOM and to placement of all documents pertaining to award of the Bronze Star Medal in his OMPF.

5.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

BOARD VOTE:

___x____  ____x___  ___x____  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.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by removing all documents pertaining to the Army Commendation Medal from the applicant's OMPF and ensuring all documents pertaining to the replaced award of the Bronze Star Medal are appropriately filed in the applicant’s OMPF.



      __________x_____________
      	CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080007854



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080007854



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