IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 June 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210014212 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show 2 bronze service stars with the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Valorous Unit Award. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * Certificate for award of the Army Commendation Medal * Approval Memorandum for award of the Valorous Unit Award * 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Lineage Document * List of Iraq Campaigns 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 he would like 2 stars added to his Iraq Campaign Medal, as well as award of the Valorous Unit Award for service in 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment for service in Baghdad 2005-2006. These awards were issued after he was discharged from active duty but were awarded to his unit for the period he served. 3. The applicant's records contain sufficient evidence to support additional awards not shown on his DD Form 214. His DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected without Board action in Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) to add: * 2 bronze service stars to his already-awarded Iraq Campaign Medal * Valorous Unit Award 4. As a related item, the Board will consider award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. 5. Review of the applicant's service records shows: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 January 2003 and held military occupational specialties 11B (Infantryman). b. He served at Fort Stewart, GA and deployed with his unit to: * Kuwait/Iraq from 21 January to 29 August 2003, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry * Kuwait/Iraq, 26 January 2005 to 21 January 2005, assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment c. Permanent Order 274-190, issued by Headquarters, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division on 1 October 2005 awarded him the Army Commendation Medal for service in support of Operation Iraq Freedom from 29 January 2005 to 15 January 2005 while assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment. d. He was honorably discharged from active duty on 30 April 2006 due to completion of his required active service. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 3 years, 3 months, and 29 days of active service with no lost time. He was fully eligible to reenlist. His DD Form 214 also shows in Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): * Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award) * USA/USAF Presidential Unit Citation * Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal * Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal * Global War on Terrorism Service Medal * Armed Forces Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd Award) * NATO Medal * Combat Infantryman Badge * Iraq Campaign Medal e. On 10 March 2008, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command published a memorandum, approving award of the Valorous Unit Award to Headquarters, 4th Brigade Combat Team 3rd Infantry Division, and subordinate units for valorous action from 15 January 2005 to 14 January 2006. f. There are no official orders in his records that show he was recommended for or awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal for 3 years of continuous honorable service from 2 January 2003 through 1 January 2006. g. Likewise, his service records also do not contain derogatory information such as lost time, conviction by a court-martial, Article 15s, or a commander's disqualification memorandum for this award. 6. By regulation (AR 600-8-22), the Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of active Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. Based upon the review of his record, the Board determined his honorable service should be reinforced by awarding him the GCMDL. 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the correction is completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :X :X :X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for exemplary service from 2 January 2003 through 1 January 2006, and adding the medal to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 April 2006. 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's DD Form 214 ending on 30 April 2006 omitted certain awards. Correct his DD Form 214 to show in Block 13: 2 bronze service stars to his already-awarded Iraq Campaign Medal and Valorous Unit Award. 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 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) states the: a. The Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The Iraq Campaign Medal period of eligibility is on or after 19 March 2003 through 31 December 2011. A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign. Approved campaigns are: * Liberation of Iraq (19 March 2003-1 May 2003) * Transition of Iraq (2 May 2003-28 June 2004) * Iraqi Governance (29 June 2004-15 December 2005) * National Resolution (16 December 2005-9 January 2007) * Iraqi Surge (10 January 2007-31 December 2008) * Iraqi Sovereignty (1 January 2009-31 August 2010) * New Dawn (1 September 2010-31 December 2011) b. The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of active Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210014212 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1