ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 23 June 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20200001418 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show award of his Army Commendation Medal. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), 13 September 2019 * Army Commendation Certificate, 15 January 1974 * Army Commendation Citation, for the period 28 April 1971 to 28 January 1974 * DD Form 214 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. Code (USC), section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant states that he recently requested a copy of his DD Form 214 and in item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) is missing. His ARCOM certificate was signed on 15 January 1974, and it was awarded after his discharge. 3. The applicant's service records are not available for review. An exhaustive search was conducted to locate his records which are necessary to the processing of his case but they could not found. This case is being considered using the documents he provides. 4. Review of the applicant's available service records show: a. On 29 January 1971, he enlisted into the Regular Army. At the time of his separation, he held military occupational specialties 74F (Computer Programmer) and 71L (Administrative Specialist). b. On 28 January 1974, he was honorably released from active duty. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 3 years of net service and in item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – * National Defense Service Medal * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) c. His DD Form 214 also show he was last assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division Support Command, Fort Riley, KS. 5. The applicant provided: a. ARCOM certificate for meritorious service for the period 28 April 1971 to 28 January 1974, approved by the Commanding General 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley. b. ARCOM citation for outstanding, meritorious service during the period 28 April 1971 to 28 January 1974, while serving as a Computer Programmer, Logistics Data Processing Branch, Division Data Center, for the 1st Infantry Division Support Command, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Riley, KS. 6. His record is void of orders awarding him the ARCOM. 7. His record is also void of orders awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal, or any disciplinary actions that would have disqualified him from receiving the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 29 January 1971 through 28 January 1974. 8. By regulation (AR 600-8-22), 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, distinguishes 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. By regulation (AR 672-5-1), and currently AR 600-8-22, the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service, and for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicants request, supporting documents and evidence in the records. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his military service record, documents provided by the applicant and regulatory guidance. The Board determined there was sufficient evidence showing recommendations for an Army Commendation Medal in support of 1st Infantry Division Support Command. The Board determined the applicant's service record did not reflect he was awarded the AGCM and his record shows he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service. Therefore, relief was granted to correct the applicant’s record and award him the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 X X X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 by adding in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): * Army Commendation Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal 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. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. 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, distinguishes 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. 3. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, stated the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940; for first award only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946; and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year. The enlisted person must have had all "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings. Ratings of "Unknown" for portions of the period under consideration were not disqualifying. Service school efficiency ratings based upon academic proficiency of at least "Good" rendered subsequent to 22 November 1955 were not disqualifying. There must have been no convictions by a court-martial. However, there was no right or entitlement to the medal until the immediate commander made a positive recommendation for its award and until the awarding authority announced the award in general orders. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20200001418