BOARD DATE: 21 April 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100023546 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 he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) instead of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM). 2. He states the ARCOM was upgraded to the BSM and orders were published revoking the ARCOM. 3. He provides: * a BSM certificate, page 2 of the DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award), citation page, and narrative page * Permanent Orders 10-009-001, dated 9 January 2010 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer on 14 September 2002. He was ordered to active duty on 8 August 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served in Iraq from 10 October 2008 through 2 August 2009. He completed 1 year and 14 days of net active service during this period. He was honorably released from active duty on 21 August 2009. 2. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the: * Army Commendation Medal * Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) * National Defense Service Medal * Global War on Terrorism Service Medal * Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon * Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device 3. The ARCOM certificate contained in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), dated 25 June 2009, shows he was awarded the ARCOM for meritorious service for the period 10 October 2008 to 28 July 2009 while assigned as a Civil Affairs Support Team Leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The certificate contains Permanent Order 09-196-004, published by Headquarters, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade. 4. Permanent Orders 10-009-001, published by the same headquarters, dated 9 January 2010, revoked Permanent Order 09-196-004, pertaining to the applicant's award of the ARCOM. 5. The BSM certificate, page 2 of the DA Form 638, citation page, and narrative page, provided by the applicant, confirm he was awarded the BSM for exceptionally meritorious service in a combat zone with exposure to risk of hostile action during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 10 October 2008 to 28 July 2009, by the authority of Headquarters, Multinational Corps-Iraq, Permanent Order 357-043, dated 23 December 2009. 6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states to ensure that a deserving act, achievement, or service receives recognition, the appropriate authority may promptly award a suitable lesser military decoration pending final action on a recommendation for a higher award. When a higher award is approved, the approving authority will revoke the interim award using a separate permanent order. 7. Review of his DD Form 214 indicates entitlement to an additional award that is not shown on this form. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign. Approved campaigns are: * Liberation of Iraq (19 March 2003-1 May 2003) * Transition of Iraq (2 May 2003-28 June 2004) * Iraqi Governance (29 June 2004-15 December 2005) * National Resolution (16 December 2005-9 January 2007) * Iraqi Surge (10 January 2007-31 December 2008) * Iraqi Sovereignty (1 January 2009-date to be determined) DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. It appears the applicant was awarded the ARCOM as an interim award until the award of the BSM was approved. Permanent Order 10-009-001 revoked the award of the ARCOM and Permanent Order 357-043 awarded him the BSM for the same period of service in Iraq. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected by deleting the ARCOM and adding the BSM. 2. Evidence of record shows he participated in two campaigns in support of OIF. Therefore, he is entitled two bronze service stars for wear on his already-awarded Iraq Campaign Medal and correction of his DD Form 214 to show the additional bronze service star. 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: a. deleting from item 13 of his DD Form 214 the Army Commendation Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, and b. adding to item 13 of his DD Form 214 the Bronze Star Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars. __________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) AR20100023546 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100023546 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1