IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 13 January 2009 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080019789 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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show a second award of the Army Commendation Medal. 2. The applicant states that he believes his record is in error because of the short time between his discharge and the time that he received the award. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, dated 12 August 2007, and copies of two certificates, dated 9 August 2007 and 24 September 2004, showing two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, in support of his request. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 November 2002. He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 89D (Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Specialist). He was honorably discharged for disability with entitlement to severance pay on 12 August 2007. The highest rank/grade he held during his military service was specialist/E-4. 2. The applicant’s records also show he served in Iraq from 25 March 2004 to 24 October 2004 and from 29 January 2006 to 22 July 2006. In both periods of service, he was assigned to the 748th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion. 3. Item 12f (Foreign Service) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he completed 1 year, 1 month, and 4 days of foreign service. 4. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic Bar, and the Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge. 5. Headquarters, Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I), Permanent Orders 268-002, dated 24 September 2004, show the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 25 March 2004 to 24 October 2004. 6. Headquarters, 52nd Ordnance Group (EOD), Fort Gillem, Georgia, Permanent Orders 221-2, dated 9 August 2007, show the applicant was awarded a second award of the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service from 20 November 2002 to 12 August 2007. 7. Review of the applicant's records indicates entitlement to additional awards that are not shown on his DD Form 214. 8. Department of Defense Directive, dated 16 April 2008, designated four phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom as qualifying for a campaign star: The Liberation of Iraq 19 March 2003 to 1 May 2003, Transition of Iraq 2 May 2003 to 28 June 2004, Iraqi Governance 29 June 2004 to 15 December 2005, and the National Resolution 16 December 2005 to a date to be determined. This same directive states that a bronze service star will be awarded for wear on the Iraq Campaign Medal for participation in each campaign. 9. The Soldier Programs/Services Division, Awards Branch, Human Resources Command database shows the 748th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company was awarded the Valorous Unit Award during the period 30 March through 29 October 2004. The Department of the Army General Orders are pending. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Permanent orders awarded the applicant two awards of the Army Commendation Medal one of which is not shown on his DD Form 214; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show his second award of the Army Commendation Medal. 2. The evidence of record also shows the applicant's service in Iraq from 25 March 2004 to 24 October 2004 qualified him for award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and his second period of service from 19 January to 22 July 2006 qualified him for award of the Iraq Campaign Medal. Additionally, the applicant participated in one campaign during his second period of service in Iraq. Therefore he is entitled to award of one bronze service star to be affixed to the Iraq Campaign Medal. 3. General Orders awarded the applicant’s unit the Valorous Unit Award which is not shown on his records; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. BOARD VOTE: ___X____ ___X____ ___X____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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 adding the following awards to his DD Form 214: the Army Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), the Valorous Unit Award, and a bronze service star to be affixed to his already-awarded Iraq Campaign Medal and providing the individual a document to show these corrections. XXX _______ _ _______ ___ 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) AR20080019789 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080019789 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1