ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


		IN THE CASE OF:  

		BOARD DATE:  29 October 2020

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20200000560


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer of Discharge) to show award of the Army Commendation 
Medal.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), dated 16 October 
2019
*	Army Commendation Medal Citation, period covering May 1969 to June 1971
*	DD Form 214, dated 16 September 1971
*	Veterans Service Commission of Summit County letter, dated 16 October 2019

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United 
States Code, 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.  The applicant states the Army Commendation Medal should be added to his 
DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant’s service record shows

a.	He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on 26 June 1968.

b.	His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in:

(1)	Item 38 (Record of Assignments) that he was an Instructor on 1 May 1970

(2)	 Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) – 

*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Army Good Conduct Medal
*	Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) 
*	Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14

c.	His records are void of Army Commendation Medal orders.  

4.  The applicant provides:

a.	 Army Commendation Medal citation, period covering May 1969 to June 1971, 
for meritorious service while serving as an Enlisted Bilingual Instructor of the Medical 
Instructional Group .

      b.  A DD Form 214, dated 16 September 1971, which shows he was honorably 
released from active duty.  It shows in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, 
Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – 

*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Army Good Conduct Medal
*	Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) 
*	Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14)


BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief is not warranted.

2.  The Board found the citation provided by the applicant insufficient to confirm that he 
was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.  In the absence of orders or other 
documentation confirming he received this medal, the Board determined it should not be 
added to his DD Form 214 at this time.  


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.


REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for 
correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged 
failure to timely file within the 3 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) provides that 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)	 AR20200000560
	
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