ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  12 September 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170009019


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from 
Active Duty) to reflect his Army Commendation (ARCOM) Award.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214
*	Army Commendation Medal Certificate, dated 1 September 1978

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.  The applicant states he received the award after separation and was never added to 
his DD Form 214.  

3.  The applicant provides The Army Commendation Medal Certificate, dated 
1 September 1978, awarding him the Army Commendation Medal.  No orders 
accompanied this certificate.  

4.  A review of the applicant’s service records shows:

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 19 October 1970.  He held the military 
occupational specialty 67U (Medium Helicopter Repairer).

	b.  He served in Korea from 23 August 1971 to 21 September 1972 and in Germany 
from 27 October 1973 to 20 January 1976.  He was promoted to Sergeant (SGT/E-5) on 
3 March 1975.  

	c.  Upon leaving Germany, he was reassigned to the 159th Aviation Battalion, 101st 
Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY, as a senior CH-47 Helicopter repairer.  
	d.  On 18 July 1978, he was honorably discharged from active duty.  His DD Form 
214 show she completed 7 years 9 months and 13 days of active service, 2 years, 2 
months, and 24 days of foreign service.  It also shows he was awarded or authorized:

*	Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award)
*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge (M-16)
*	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

	e.  His service record is void of any orders awarding the ARCOM.  He provides a 
certificate, signed by Major General, X__ X__ (was commanding general, 101st 
Airborne Division, from March 1979 to June 1980).  He was awarded the ARCOM for 
meritorious service from 1 February 1977 through 1 July 1978 while serving as 
noncommissioned officer in charge of Technical Supply, Company C, 159th Aviation 
Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY.  The applicant’s 
technical expertise, resourcefulness, and willingness to accept responsibility were 
instrumental in the unit’s outstanding performance during the preparation, load-out and 
deployment phases of the two major field exercises.  His untiring efforts helped ensure 
the success of the Annual General Inspection and Army Training and Evaluation 
Program.  His initiative and devotion to duty earned him the respect and admiration of 
all with whom he served.

5.  By regulation the Army Commendation Medal is awarded for heroism, meritorious 
achievement or meritorious service.  Award of the Army Commendation Medal requires 
a formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement 
in permanent orders.

6.  The applicant served in Korea from 23 August 1971 to 21 September 1972.  By 
regulation (AR 600-8-22), he meets the criteria for award of the Korea Defense Service 
Medal and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this medal.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that 
relief was warranted.  Although the ARCOM certificate shows the award was given to 
the applicant after the effective date of the DD Form 214, based upon the service period 
covered within the award following within the service period covered by his DD Form 
214, the Board concluded that adding the ARCOM to his DD Form 214 had merit and 
should be corrected.

Additionally, prior to closing the case, the Board noted the administrative note below 
from the analyst of record and recommended that change also be completed to more 
accurately reflect the military service of the applicant.



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:

1.  The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a 
recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of 
Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD 
Form 214 by adding the Army Commendation Medal.	
2.  Prior to closing the case, the Board noted the administrative note below from the 
analyst of record and recommended that change also be completed to  more accurately 
reflect the military service of the applicant.							
				 		 
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.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

A review of the applicant’s service records shows he is eligible to awards not listed on 
his DD Form 214.  As a result, amend his DD Form 214 to show the Korea Defense 
Service Medal.



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 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Commendation Medal 
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.
3.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and 
administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards.  It states the 
Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces 
of the United States who served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic 
of Korea.  The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the 
Secretary of Defense.



ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170009019

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