PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           23 May 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001064283

	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. Walter Avery, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Mark D. Manning		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	
	Ms. Karen Y. Fletcher		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 that his records be corrected to show that he was awarded two Army Achievement Medals and the Army Commendation Medal.

3.  The applicant states at the time of his separation he made it known that awards were missing from his separation document, but was told his records would be updated automatically.

4.  In support of his requests, he submitted a copy of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), a copy of his Army Commendation Medal recommendation and certificate, and a picture he states shows President Clinton awarding him the Army Achievement Medal.  He also submitted copies of various other administrative and personnel documents.

5.  The applicant’s military records could not be located.  Information herein was provided by the applicant.

6.  His DD Form 214 shows he entered the Regular Army on 24 November 1993, and on 23 August 1996, at the grade of E-4 was honorably released from active duty.  It shows his awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Badge with rifle bar, and the Parachutist Badge.

7.  A certificate and DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) show the applicant was recommended for and awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service while assigned as a parachute rigger for the period 30 May 1994 to 23 August 1996.

8.  A DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) item 9 (Awards, Decorations & Campaigns) does not show he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal or the Army Achievement Medal.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to soldiers who distinguish themselves by their exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.  For the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than three years but more than one year.

10.  The same regulation provides that the Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States, who while serving in a noncombat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished himself or herself by meritorious service or achievement.

11.  The same regulation provides that 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, distinguished 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board notes the applicant's contention that he was awarded two Army Achievement Medals.  However, the applicant has submitted no evidence from an official source to corroborate his statement.  Thus, there is insufficient evidence upon which to approve his request for two awards of the Army Achievement Medal.

2.  The applicant provided a copy of a recommendation for award and award certificate, which appear to be copies of official documents.  They indicate he was awarded the ARCOM on 12 August 1996.  The Board accepts this evidence and concludes that he was awarded the ARCOM and that this award should be reflected in his records.

3.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects that he achieved the rank of specialist, was honorably discharged, and had no lost time.  In addition his award of the Army Commendation Medal covered 2 years of his 2 years and 9 months of service; therefore, the Board concludes that he most likely was qualified for the award of the Good Conduct Medal for the entire period of service from 24 November 1993 through 23 August 1996.

4.  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 Army Commendation Medal for the period 30 May 1994 through 23 August 1996 and the Good Conduct Medal for the period 24 November 1993 through 23 August 1996.

BOARD VOTE:  

__mdm__  ____le __  ___kyf___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		________Mark D. Manning_______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001064283	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020523	
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.	107.0020	
2.	107.0025	
3.	107.0056	
4.		
5.		
6.