IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 October 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230003101 APPLICANT REQUESTS: his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be corrected to show the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) 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 was awarded the ARCOM for meritorious service. It was not awarded until after he separated, so it is not on his DD Form 214. He would like it added and a copy of it. He was put in for it while in service; the request did not go through the process until after he separated. He is proud of his service and because it was granted, he wants it include in his official records. 3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 3 years on 27 July 1978. 4. The applicant completed his required training and was awarded the military occupational specialty (MOS) 95B (military police) on 6 November 1978. 5. The applicant received a Letter of Commendation for outstanding support while assigned as a recruiter aid on 14 December 1978. He also received a Certificate of Achievement for his outstanding performance as a recruiter aide on 25 January 1979. 6. The applicant was assigned to Fort Devens, MA, effective 26 January 1979. He received a Letter of Commendation on 15 January 1980 for selection as the Soldier of the Quarter. He also received a Letter of Appreciation on or around 9 October 1980. 7. Permanent Orders 81-3, dated 25 June 1981, show the applicant was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. 8. The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 26 July 1981. His DD Form 214 shows the following awards: Marksman Badge Rifle M-16, Expert Badge Pistol Caliber .45, Expert Badge Hand Grenade, and the Good Conduct Medal. 9. The applicant was honorably discharged from the Standby Reserve on 12 June 1984. 10. The applicant’s available record does not show any recommendation or award of the ARCOM. The applicant did not provide evidence the ARCOM was awarded. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found relief is not warranted. 2. The Board found the applicant’s record does not contain and he has not provided documentation confirming his claim that he was awarded the ARCOM, such as an ARCOM Certificate or orders announcing award of the ARCOM to him. The Board determined the available evidence is insufficient as a basis for adding the ARCOM to his record. 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 (AR) 600–8–22 (Personnel - General - Military Awards) provides Department of the Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations, Army Good Conduct Medals, service medals and rib- bons, combat and special skill badges and tabs, unit decorations, trophies, and similar devices awarded in recognition of accomplishments. It prescribes the policies and procedures concerning U.S. Army awards to foreign military personnel and foreign decorations to U.S. Army personnel. Paragraph 3–19 provided the requirements for awarding the Army Commendation Medal. a. The ARCOM was established by War Department Circular 377, 18 December 1945 (amended in AGO 1960–10, 31 March 1960). b. The ARCOM 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. c. The ARCOM may be awarded for combat related service or achievement after 29 February 1964. d. Awards of the ARCOM may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances described above which are of lesser degree than required for award of the BSM. These acts may involve aerial flight. A bronze letter "V" (for valor) is worn on the suspension and service ribbon of that medal. e. The ARCOM may be awarded with the “C” device to recognize exceptionally meritorious service or achievement performed under combat conditions on or after 7 January 2016. See paragraph 6–6 for “C” device criteria. f. The ARCOM for specific achievement may be awarded with the “R” device to distinguish that the award was earned for the direct hands-on employment of a weapon system or other warfighting activities that had a direct and immediate impact on a combat operation or other military operation on or after 7 January 2016. See paragraph 6–7 for “R” device criteria. g. The ARCOM may be awarded for acts of noncombatant-related heroism which do not meet the requirements for an award of the SM or for acts of aerial flight which do not meet the requirements for award of the AM. h. The ARCOM will not be awarded to general officers. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20230003101 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1