IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 11 February 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150007363 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Army Achievement Medal. 2. The applicant states he has the award orders and certificate that show he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, but it was omitted from his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DA Form 4980-18 (Army Achievement Medal Certificate). CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. 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 also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 20 January 1984 for a period of 4 years. He was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Infantryman). He reenlisted in the RA for a period of 4 years on 23 July 1987. 3. The applicant's DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record), in pertinent part, shows in: * item 5 (Oversea Service): Alaska from 14 May 1984 through 9 October 1987 * item 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaigns) – * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle (M-16) Bar * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Army Good Conduct Medal 4. Headquarters, 6th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army Garrison, Alaska, Fort Richardson, AL, Permanent Orders 180-5, dated 30 November 1987, awarded the applicant the Army Achievement Medal for meritorious service from 14 May 1984 through 12 October 1987. 5. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows he entered active duty this period on 20 January 1984 and he was honorably discharged on 5 April 1989. He completed 5 years, 2 months, and 16 days of net active service during this period. It also shows in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the: * Army Service Ribbon * Army Lapel Button * Overseas Service Ribbon * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle (M-16) Bar * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar * Army Good Conduct Medal 6. In support of his request the applicant provides a copy of a DA Form 4980-18 that shows, on 30 October 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick H. D____, Commander, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, Fort Richardson, AL, awarded him the Army Achievement Medal for meritorious service from 15 May 1984 through 13 October 1987. 7. Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations - Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, release from active duty service, or control of the Active Army. Table 2-1 (DD Form 214 Preparation Instructions) contains item-by-item instructions for completing the DD Form 214. The instructions for item 13 show that entries will be for all periods of service. Check the Soldier's military service records for the validity of awards. Do not abbreviate when listing the entries. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Permanent orders awarded the applicant the Army Achievement Medal. 2. Based on the evidence of record, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant's DD Form 214, 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 adding to item 13 of his DD Form 214 the Army Achievement Medal. _______ _ _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) AR20150007363 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150007363 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1