ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	

	BOARD DATE:  15 April 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170018153


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  His military records be updated to reflect a record of the 
Army Commendation Medal he was awarded.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DA Form 4980-14 (Army Commendation Medal Certificate), dated 19 March 
1983

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:

	a.  The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) could not locate and validate his 
award for the Army Commendation Medal.

	b.  Correspondence from the NPRC indicated he would receive replacement awards 
and medals but he did not receive them.

3.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on 26 July 1972.

4.  On 26 October 1972, he was ordered to active duty for Military Occupational 
Specialty training.

5.  On 23 February 1973, he was released from active duty and returned to control of 
the U.S. Army Reserve.

6.  On 3 October 1975, he was discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve in order to 
accept an appointment as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, effective 
4 October 1975.

7.  Effective 15 April 1981, he was promoted to Captain as a Reserve Commissioned 
Officer of the Army.

8.  His DA form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) shows he served as 
Commander, Company C, 972d Engineer Battalion (C), Terre Haute, IN, from 
12 February 1982 through 25 June 1982.

9.  He provided DA Form 4980-14, dated 19 March 1983, showing award of the 
ARCOM, "For meritorious service while serving as the Commander, Company C, 
972d Engineer Battalion, Terre Haute, IN, for the period 14 February 1982 [through] 
31 January 1983."

10.  On 15 July 1983, he was relieved from Company D, 458th Engineer Battalion, 
Pittsburgh, PA, and assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement).

11. On 5 January 1988, he was discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve (Ready 
Reserve).

12.  His records contain no orders announcing award of the ARCOM to him.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and 
administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards.  It 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.


BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the relief 
is not warranted.  The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered.  He provided 
an ARCOM Certificate that shows it covered the period 14 February 1982 thru 
31 January 1983, and was given on 19 March 1983.  Since the award covered a period 
after his DD Form 214 for the period ending 23 February 1973, the ARCOM is not 
added to that separation document.  His record is absent any DD Forms 214 for periods 
of active duty subsequent to the awarding of the ARCOM.  Regulatory guidance does 
not provide for the updating of personnel qualification records after members separate.  
The Board agreed the ARCOM should be included in his military record; however, there 
is no action for the Board to take in this case.  This decisional document will be filed in 
his official military personnel file.  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion 
about his authorization to wear and display the ARCOM

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

: :X	:X	:X	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or 
injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient 
as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.


	  
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):

Not Applicable

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) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and 
administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards.  It 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.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170018153

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