IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 25 October 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210011563 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending on 16 December 1983 to reflect the following awards: * Army Achievement Medal * Army Commendation Medal * Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device * Purple Heart APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Self-authored letter * Certificate, the Army Commendation Medal, dated 12 December 1983 * Certificate, the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, dated 15 December 1983 * Certificate, the Army Achievement Medal, dated 24 February 1984 FACTS: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20190012806 on 4 August 2020. 2. The applicant states in pertinent part that his most recently issued DD Form 214 is incorrect as it does not accurately reflect all of the awards that he received during his military service. 3. A review of the applicant's available service records reflects the following: a. On 1 October 1979, the applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve under the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). b. On 4 January 1980, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army to serve as an 05H (Electronic Warfare/Signal Intelligence Morse Interceptor). c. On 7 November 1983, Headquarters, 82nd Airborne Division issued Orders Number 207-69 reassigning the applicant to the U.S. Army transition point pending separation. d. On 16 December 1983, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred into the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement). DD Form 214, item 13. (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) reflects the following: * Parachutist Badge * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Hand Grenade Bar * Army Good Conduct Medal e. On 20 December 1983, the U.S. Army Military Personnel Center issued Permanent Orders Number 218-7 announcing award of the Purple Heart to the applicant for wounds received as the result of hostile action on 27 October 1983. f. On 31 December 1985, the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center issued Orders Number D-12-078917 discharging the applicant from the USAR effective 3 January 1986. 4. The applicant provides the following a: a. Certificate, the Army Commendation Medal, dated 12 December 1983, reflective of the applicant being recognized for distinguishing himself by meritorious service performed from 1 March 1981 – 9 December 1983. This certificate is void of a Permanent Order Number. b. Certificate, the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, dated 15 December 1983, reflective of the applicant being recognized for exceptionally heroic actions against a hostile force in the country of Grenada on 27 October 1983. The applicant willingly risked his life to save that of a fellow Soldier. While in support of 2nd Brigade during its assault on Cuban positions, the applicant's position accidentally came under intense fire from a U.S. Navy aircraft. Although he sustained wounds to both of his arms, the applicant evacuated an unconscious Soldier to safety and refused Medical attention until the injured Soldier was treated. This certificate is void of a Permanent Order Number. c. Certificate, the Army Achievement Medal, dated 24 February 1984, reflective of the applicant distinguishing himself by meritorious service from 1 April 1981 – 3 January 1984. This certificate is void of a Permanent Order Number. 5. On 4 August 2020, Docket Number AR20190012806 was boarded to review the applicant's request for correction of his DD Form 214 to reflect award of the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. The Board granted partial relief of the applicant's request and directed the correction of his DD Form 214 to reflect the addition of the Purple Heart and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. However, the Board found insufficient evidence to support adding the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device and 1 Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Army Achievement Medal. 6. On 30 November 2020, a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) was issued to correct the applicant's DD Form 214 ending on 16 December 1983 to reflect the addition of the Purple Heart and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 7. Review of the applicant's available service records failed to reflect the Orders issued or the DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) associated with the presented award certificates. The applicant's DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) is also void of evidence of the requested awards previously issued. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board determined partial relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered applicant’s contentions, military record, and regulatory guidance. Based on the preponderance of evidence, the Board agreed that the applicant met the requirements for the Army Commendation Medal. 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented sufficient to grant that portion of the applicant’s request as pertaining to the award of the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device. 3. The Board determined the evidence presented insufficient to warrant relief for that portion of the applicant’s request pertaining to the award of the Army Achievement Medal. 4. Prior to closing the case, the Board noted that the applicant had previously been granted the award of the Purple Heart as reflected on his DD215 (Correction to DD Form 214) dated 20201130 and determined no further action could be taken. 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. 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 correcting his DD Form 214 for the period ending 16 December 1983 to show the award of * Army Commendation Medal * Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented insufficient to warrant relief for that portion of the applicant’s request pertaining to the award of the Army Achievement 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. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. a. 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. The award may be made to a member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation who, after 1 June 1962, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service, which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States. (1) The Army Commendation Medal may be awarded for combat related service or achievement after 29 February 1964. (2) Awards of the Army Commendation Medal may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances described above which are of lesser degree than required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. These acts may involve aerial flight. A bronze letter "V" (for valor) is worn on the suspension and service ribbon of that medal. (3) For each subsequent award an oak leaf cluster will be awarded. b. The Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation, who distinguished himself or herself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the Army Commendation Medal. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 2. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) provides that the DD Form 214 will reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It is important that information entered on the form be complete and accurate and reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. All available records will be used as a basis for the preparation of DD Form 214 including DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) and orders. Item 13. (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) on the issued DD Form 214 will contain all decorations, service medals, campaign credits and badges awarded or authorized on item 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaigns) of DA Form 2-1. 3. Army Regulation 15-185 (ABCMR) paragraph 2-9 states the ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity. The applicant has the burden of proving an error or injustice by a preponderance of the evidence. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210011563 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1