IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  	  5 February 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080018279 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Army Commendation Medal.

2.  The applicant states that the Department of Defense failed to add the Army Commendation Medal to his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides an award certificate and citation for the Army Commendation Medal and a copy of his DD Form 214 in support of his application.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (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.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant was inducted on 25 September 1967.  He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam and was released from active duty on 23 May 1969.

3.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Army Commendation Medal as an authorized award.

4.  There are no orders for the Army Commendation Medal in the available records.

5.  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) on the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show entitlement to the Army Commendation Medal.  A search of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command's Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System did not locate orders awarding the applicant the Army Commendation Medal.

6.  In support of his claim, the applicant provided an award certificate and a citation for the Army Commendation Medal for the period May 1968 to May 1969.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

There are no orders for the Army Commendation Medal in the available records. In the absence of orders, the award certificate and citation provided by the applicant are not sufficient as a basis for award of the Army Commendation Medal.  Regrettably, there is insufficient evidence on which to amend his DD Form 214 to show the Army Commendation Medal.


BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  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 that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      __________X_______________
                 CHAIRPERSON
      
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.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080018279



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080018279



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