ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS BOARD DATE: 17 April 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190006484 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 30 October 1991 to show multiple awards of the Army Commendation Medal. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), dated 1 March 2019 * Army Commendation Medal Certificate, dated 2 November 1990 * DD Form 214 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 (ABCMR) 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. Sufficient evidence is contained in his records to administratively correct his DD Form 214 to show award of the Army Commendation Medal (1st Award) without Board action. 3. The Board will consider his request for correction of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 October 1991 to show multiple awards of the Army Commendation Medal. 4. The applicant states he had more than one award of the Army Commendation Medal, but they are not on his DD Form 214. 5. On 25 May 1986, the applicant was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer. He served in Germany from 1 September 1987 to 21 August 1990 and he was assigned to the 15th and 30th Intelligence Battalions, 15th Infantry. 6. On 5 October 1986, he was ordered to active duty. 7. He provided a copy of his Army Commendation Medal Certificate, dated 2 November 1990, awarding him the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the period 8 August 1987 to 9 August 1990. The award period coincides with his service in Germany. This certificate shows Permanent Order Number 59-1 authorized the award. 8. His Officer Record Brief, dated October 1990, does not list any awards of the Army Commendation Medal. 9. He served in Southwest Asia from 1 February 1991 to 22 April 1991. 10. On 30 October 1991, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement). His DD Form 214 does not show any awards of the Army Commendation Medal. 11. On 23 November 1992, he was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) for the period ending 30 October 1991 to show, in part, his award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service stars and Kuwait Liberation Medal. 12. His available records are void of orders authorizing additional awards the Army Commendation Medal. 13. Award of the Army Commendation Medal requires a formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and approval in orders. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After review of the application and supporting documents, the Board determined there is sufficient evidence to grant partial relief. The applicant’s contentions, his military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The governing regulation provides that at separation the service member’s record will be used to enter accurate information when completing their DD Form 214. The Board determined that the evidence presented is sufficient for award of one Army Commendation Medal. 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the corrections be completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. ? BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : X :X :X GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. In addition to the corrections stated in the Administrative Notes that follow, the Board determined the evidence presented is 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 amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 October 1991 by awarding him one Army Commendation Medal. 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 additional awards of the Army Commendation Medal. 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 records shows he was awarded or authorized the following awards not listed or improperly listed on his DD Form 214 or previously-issued DD Form 215: * Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia * Kuwait Liberation Medal-Government of Kuwait 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. Instructions 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. For each succeeding act or period of meritorious service or achievement that justifies the award of a decoration, an oak leaf cluster or numeral device will be awarded. 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) AR20190006484 3 1