IN THE CASE OF:	 

		BOARD DATE:	  20 April 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090018735 


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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Air Medal (AM) and the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM).

2.  The applicant states he received a letter from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) showing he is authorized the AM and ARCOM.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of a letter from NPRC, dated 16 October 2009.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army 22 November 1966.  He was trained in and awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 71H (Personnel Specialist) and honorably released from active duty on 21 November 1969. 

2.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214 does not show award of the AM or the ARCOM.

3.  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show award of the AM or the ARCOM.

4.  The applicant's record is void of documentation showing he was recommended for or awarded either the AM or the ARCOM.


5.  Review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System (ADCARS), an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human Resources Command, failed to reveal any orders for the AM or the ARCOM pertaining to the applicant.

6.  The letter from NPRC provided by the applicant authorized shipment of the AM and the ARCOM based on documents he had provided and/or other official documents, if available.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the following:

   a.  The AM is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight.  This award is primarily intended for personnel on flying status, but may also be awarded to those personnel whose combat duties require them to fly, for example personnel in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy.

   b.  The ARCOM 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.  

   c.  All personal decorations require formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's request for correction of his DD Form 214 to reflect award of the AM and the ARCOM was carefully considered and not supported by the evidence in this case.

2.  The letter the applicant received from NPRC indicates the agency authorized shipment based on documents he had provided or other official documents.  Those documents were not provided in support of this request and are not contained in his available records.  In the absence of any official documentation showing he received these awards, there is no basis for correcting his record to show award of the AM or the ARCOM.





BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__X_____  ___X____  ____X____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      __________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)                                         AR20090018735



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090018735



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