PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:         

	BOARD DATE:             1 March 2000 
	DOCKET NUMBER:     AR1999030803

	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. Joseph A. Adriance		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. George D. Paxson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Melinda M. Darby 		Member	
	Mr. John Saputo		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, in effect, that a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) be added to the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) issued him on 31 August 1999.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, the award was approved during this period of active duty; however, was not received until after the DD Form 214 was issued.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he served a total of 20 years, 
8 months, and 2 days of active military service and retired, in the rank of first sergeant/E-8, on 31 August 1999.  

5.  The evidence of record includes a DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award), which indicates that the applicant was recommended for the MSM for his service between 1 February 1978 and 15 May 1999.  This award was submitted in conjunction with his retirement.  On 11 May 1999, this award was approved by the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard and Orders Number 25-01 was published awarding the MSM to the applicant.

6.  The DD Form 214 issued to the applicant at his retirement, on 31 August 1999, did not include the MSM in block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) or in block 
18 (Remarks). 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record clearly shows the applicant was awarded the MSM prior to his retirement and that the award was erroneously omitted from the 
DD Form 214 issued him at the time.  Therefore, in the interest of justice and equity, the Board concluded it would be appropriate to correct this error at this time. 

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 the MSM, effective 
11 May 1999.

BOARD VOTE:  

___js___  ___mmd__  __gdp__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____George D. Paxson_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999030803	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	2000/03/01	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	1999/08/31	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 C12	
DISCHARGE REASON	Retirement 	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 63	107.0017	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.