MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:            16 January 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002077751

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Nancy L. Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Member	
	Ms. Marla J. N. Troup		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
       records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
       advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be amended to add the Meritorious Service Medal and to show he was awarded a second award of the Army Service Ribbon.  

APPLICANT STATES:  That he once had a copy of the orders awarding him the Meritorious Service Medal but they were lost.  He provides no supporting evidence.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

After having had prior service in the Army National Guard, he enlisted in the Regular Army on 26 June 1979.  He retired on 1 September 1995.  His DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 August 1995 shows he was awarded one Army Service Ribbon.  It does not show he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

There is no evidence of record in the applicant's Official Military Personnel File to show he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, states, in pertinent part, that the Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service in a noncombat area.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  

Army Regulation 600-8-22 states, in pertinent part, that enlisted soldiers will be awarded the Army Service ribbon upon successful completion of their initial military occupational specialty producing course.  Only one award of the Army Service Ribbon is authorized, regardless of whether a soldier completes both officer and enlisted initial entry training.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.

2.  There is no evidence of record to show the applicant was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and so it cannot be entered on his DD Form 214.

3.  Only one award of the Army Service Ribbon is authorized.  The applicant's DD Form 214 already shows he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__RVO__  __AAO  _  __MJNT__  DENY APPLICATION 

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002077751	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	2003/01/16	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0017	
2.	107.0078	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.