ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:     1 April 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170004910


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  the Army Commendation Medal be added to her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Records)
* DD Form 214
* Army Commendation Medal Certificate 

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file.  

2.  On 9 August 1984, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army.  She held military occupational specialty 95B (Military Police (MP)).

3.  Her DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows she was assigned to duty with an MP company at Fort Shafter, HI, from 30 December 1984 to 18 December 1986.  

4.  On 8 June 1987, she was honorably released from active duty.  Her DD Form 214 does not list the Army Commendation Medal among her awards.

5.  The available records do not include orders announcing award of the Army Commendation Medal to her.

6.  She provides an Army Commendation Medal Certificate signed by the Commander, U.S. Army Support Command, HI, dated 11 December 1986, showing she received the award for meritorious service from 30 December 1984 to 22 December 1986 while assigned to the MP Activity, Fort Shafter, U.S. Army Support Command, HI.  

7.  The governing regulation states the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any Service member of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious service.  Award of the Army Commendation Medal requires a formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that relief was warranted.  Based upon the documentary evidence presented by the applicant as part of the application, the Board found that the Army Commendation Medal should be added to her DD Form 214.

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

X	X	X	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 the Army Commendation Medal to her DD Form 214.  
	 
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.




REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three 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 three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Commendation Medal is awarded to any Service 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.  Award of the Army Commendation Medal requires a formal recommendation and approval through the chain of command and announcement in orders.    


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170004910
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