IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 March 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150009292 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ___x____ ___x____ ___x____ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 March 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150009292 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from his DD Form 214 the entry “Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award)”; and b. adding to his DD Form 214 the entry: “Army Commendation Medal (4th Award).” 2. The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to showing he received a total of five Army Commendation Medals. __________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. Enclosure 1 IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 March 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150009292 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, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) by adding the Army Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters (ARCOM (4th Award)). 2. The applicant states at the time he was clearing Fort Stewart, Georgia, his commander had not presented him his end of service tour award. He had already cleared and was on terminal leave. He later returned to receive the medal. 3. The applicant provides copies of: * A DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) dated 28 October 2013, Permanent Order 295-003 * A DA Form 4980-14 (Certificate for the ARCOM) for the period ending 9 December 2013 (Permanent Order 295-003 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 March 2006. He served as an infantryman. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 7 years, 9 months, and 8 days of creditable active duty service. Among the awards listed on his DD Form 214 is the ARCOM (3rd Award). 2. The applicant’s Enlisted Record Brief (ERB, dated 10 December 2013, indicates he was awarded a total of three ARCOMs. 3. The applicant’s official military personnel file (OMPF) contains three DA Forms 4980 announcing award of the ARCOM in: * Permanent Order Number 005-203, dated 5 January 2008 * Permanent Order Number 218-001, dated 6 August 2010 * Permanent Order Number 119-072A, dated 19 May 2013 4. The DA Form 638, as provided by the applicant, shows his previous awards included three ARCOMs. The recommended award was for an ARCOM with 4 oak leaf clusters indicating the fifth award of this medal. Permanent Orders Number 295-003, dated 28 October 2013, announced award of the ARCOM with 4 oak leaf clusters. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states 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, distinguishes 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. Second and succeeding awards of this medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters. As such, the ARCOM with four oak leaf clusters would actually be the ARCOM (5th Award) by regulation. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant contends that his DD Form 214 should be corrected by showing his end of service award was the ARCOM (5th Award) or ARCOM with four oak leaf clusters. 2. The available evidence strongly indicates the applicant was awarded a total of four ARCOMs, which are each supported by permanent orders. Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct his DD Form 214 to show he has a total of four ARCOMs (ARCOM (4th Award)). 3. However, it also appears that his end of tour award was misrepresented on the DA Form 638 as a request for a fifth award (four oak leaf clusters). There is no available documentation supporting a total of five awards. Should the applicant believe he was awarded a total of five ARCOMs, he may resubmit another application, with supporting documentation, for reconsideration. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150009292 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2