IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  17 January 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110013552 


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 award of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM).

2.  He states he was recommended for award of the Meritorious Service Medal; however, it was downgraded to the ARCOM.  He adds he received this award 
2 months after he was discharged.

3.  He provides his DD Form 214 and DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award).

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant’s records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 10 August 1976 and he was honorably discharged under the Voluntary Early Transition Program on 31 August 1992.

3.  Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 does not show award of the ARCOM.

4.  His DA Form 638 shows award of the ARCOM was approved by Permanent Order Number 162-1, dated 14 October 1992, published by 3rd Infantry Division. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

Permanent orders verify that the applicant was awarded the ARCOM.  Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this award.

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 adding to item 13 of his DD Form 214 the ARCOM. 



      __________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)                                         AR20110013552



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110013552



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