IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 16 November 2021

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210013297


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 31 July 1989 to show award of the:

*	Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM)
*	Army Achievement Medal (AAM) (3rd Award)
*	two Certificates of Achievement

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record under the Provisions 
of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552)
*	Self-Authored Letter, 12 February 2021
*	Headquarters, 92nd Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), Permanent Orders 90-
2, 11 December 1987
*	three AAM Certificates
*	two Certificates of Achievement
*	two Letters of Commendation, 16 August 1988 and 27 September 1988
*	Headquarters, 44th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), Permanent  
Orders 24-1, 10 July 1989
*	DD Form 214 (Member-1, Member-4, and Service-7 copies)

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, 
U.S. 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 he noticed his awards were missing from his DD Form 214 
when he was researching the KDSM. He would like his military service awards to reflect 
his military accomplishments.

3.  Headquarters, 92nd Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), Permanent Orders 90-2, 
11 December 1987, awarded him the AAM for meritorious service from 30 July 1987 
through 18 October 1987.

4.  He provided his AAM Certificate, 1 April 1988, showing he was awarded the AAM for 
meritorious achievement during the period 12 December 1985 through 10 February 
1988. His service records are void of permanent orders for this AAM.

5.  The 44th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy) awarded him a certificate of 
achievement on 16 August 1988 for meritorious achievement. A letter of commendation 
from the Battalion Command Sergeant Major accompanied the certificate of 
achievement.

6.  The 44th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy) awarded him a certificate of 
achievement on 27 September 1988 for meritorious achievement. A letter of 
commendation from the Battalion Command Sergeant Major accompanied the 
certificate of achievement.

7.  Headquarters, 44th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), Permanent Orders 24-1, 
10 July 1989, awarded him the AAM with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster (representing the third 
such award) for outstanding meritorious service from 1 March 1988 to 30 July 1989.

8.  His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) shows in:

*	item 5 (Overseas Service) – overseas tour credit for service Korea from 
19 March 1988 to 26 July 1989 (1 year, 4 months, and 8 days)
*	item 9 (Awards, Decorations, and Campaigns) –

*	Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16)
*	Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar
*	Army Service Ribbon
*	Overseas Service Ribbon
*	Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award)

9.  On 31 July 1989, he was honorably relieved from active duty and transferred to the 
U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement). His DD Form 214 shows in:

*	item 12f (Foreign Service) – 1 year, 4 months, and 8 days
*	item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons 
Awarded or Authorized) –

*	Army Good Conduct Medal
*	Army Service Ribbon
*	Overseas Service Ribbon
*	Army Lapel Button
*	Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16)
*	Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief 
was partially warranted. Board members agreed with the administrative corrections. 
/was not warranted. As for his certificate of achievement, commanders may recognize 
acts, achievements, or periods of faithful service or special acts which do not meet the 
standards required for decorations by issuing a DA Form 2442 (Certificate of 
Achievement) or a certificate of achievement or commendation of local design.  
Although copies of certificates of achievement or commendation will be filed in the 
official military personnel file, there is no distinguishing device authorized for wear to 
indicate the receipt of a certificate of achievement or commendation and there is no 
provision to list such certificates on the DD Form 214.



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 making the 
corrections described in Administrative Note(s) below.”  

2.  The Board further determined 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 adding certificates of achievement to his DD Form 214. 

	 
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): The applicant is authorized administrative correction of 
his DD Form 214 to show award of the AAM (3rd Award) and KDSM without Board 
action.


REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of 
military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or 
injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's 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) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and 
administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards.

	a.  The KDSM is authorized for award to service 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 area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea, and the 
contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles, and all airspaces above the land and water 
areas. The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary 
of Defense. Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units 
operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.

	b.  This regulation does not govern or recognize locally awarded certificates of 
achievement.

3.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), effective 1 October 1979, 
prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers upon 
retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. 
It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The 
specific instructions for item 13 stated this entry was self-explanatory. Interim change 1, 
effective 2 October 1989, revised the specific instructions for item 13 to state entries will 
be for all periods of service. Check the Soldier's service record for validity of awards.

4.  Army Regulation 635-5, effective 30 September 2000, prescribed the separation 
documents that must be prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release 
from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It established standardized policy 
for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The specific instructions for item 13 
stated to list awards and decorations for all periods of service in the priority sequence 
specified in Army Regulation 600-8-22. Each entry will be verified by the Soldier's 
records.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20210013297


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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