IN THE CASE OF: 
	BOARD DATE: 4 April 2023

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220009350


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge), ending 2 March 1967, to show award of the 
Army Commendation Medal.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DA Form 4980-14 (Army Commendation Medal Certificate), 24 February 1967
*	DD Form 214, ending 2 March 1967
*	letter, County Veterans Service Commission, 7 June 2022

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, in effect, his Army Commendation Medal is not acknowledged 
on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 3 March 1965.

4.  A DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that upon the completion of 
initial entry training, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, U.S. 
Army Training Center (Field Artillery), Fort Sill, OK, with duty as a 71H (Personnel 
Specialist) from 25 September 1965 to 1 March 1967. Item 41 (Awards and 
Decorations) does not list the Army Commendation Medal.

5.  He was honorably released from active duty on 2 March 1967. His DD Form 214 
shows he was credited with 2 years of net service. Item 24 (Decorations, Medal, 
Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) 
lists the following awards:

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

6.  The applicant's service record does not contain an order awarding him the Army 
Commendation Medal.

7.  The applicant provides but his record does not contain a copy of an Army 
Commendation Medal Certificate, dated 24 February 1967, awarding him the Army 
Commendation Medal for meritorious service, from September 1965 to March 1967, at 
Fort Sill, OK. The certificate was signed/authenticated by:

		(1)  Major General (the rest of the signature block is illegible)

		(2) Secretary of the Army 

9.  Regulatory guidance states the Army Commendation Medal is awarded to 
Servicemembers who distinguish themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement, or 
meritorious service. Formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, 
and announcement in orders are required.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within 
the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The applicant’s 
contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The 
applicant provides a copy of an Army Commendation Medal Certificate, dated 24 
February 1967, awarding him the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service, 
from September 1965 to March 1967, at Fort Sill, OK. However, there are no 
accompanying general orders to confirm this award. Regulatory guidance states formal 
recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in 
orders are required for award of the Army Commendation Medal. If the applicant has 
the general order that awarded him this personal decoration, he may resubmit his 
application to this Board for reconsideration. 
?
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, 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. Paragraph 
3-19 states the Army Commendation Medal is awarded to any Servicemember 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. 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.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20220009350


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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