IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 June 2009 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090002698 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 military records to show that he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge. 2. The applicant states, in effect, that he was a medic in Battery C, 1st Squadron, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment, and he was actively engaged by enemy rocket and or mortar fire, on 31 July 2006, at the landing zone, Washington, International Zone, Iraq. He was recommended for award of the Combat Medical Badge but never received it. 3. The applicant provides, in support of his application, copies of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), a memorandum recommending award of the Combat Medical Badge, with a sworn statement and his Enlisted Record Brief. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. At the time of his application, the applicant was a member of the Arkansas Army National Guard, serving as a sergeant, pay grade E-5. 2. On 5 December 2005, the applicant was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served in Iraq during the period from 19 March 2006 to 26 February 2007. 3. In a memorandum provided by the applicant, dated 21 August 2006, the Commander, Forward Operating Base, Camp Cropper, Iraq, recommended the applicant for award of the Combat Medical Badge for his actions on 31 July 2006. At the time, the applicant was assigned to Battery C, 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Regiment. The Commander, Forward Operating Base, stated that an enemy mortar fire came within 15 feet of the applicant. The round did not immediately detonate and he took cover in a nearby armored van. The applicant ensured that all personnel in the area were okay after the area had been cleared by the explosive ordnance detachment (EOD). There is no evidence showing that this recommendation was approved, or that the applicant had been awarded the Combat Medical Badge. 4. On 4 April 2007, the applicant was released from active duty. He had completed 1 year, 4 months and 4 days of creditable active duty during this period of service. 5. Item 11 (Primary Specialty) of the applicant's DD Form 214 shows his military occupational specialty as 68W (Health Care Specialist). 6. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214 does not list the Combat Medical Badge. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical personnel who are assigned or attached to or under operational control of any combat arms units of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily perform medical duties while the unit is engaged in active ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards under these criteria are not authorized for service prior to 18 September 2001. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends that his military records should be corrected to show award of the Combat Medical Badge. 2. The evidence clearly shows the applicant was a medical specialist and served in a combat theater with a combat arms unit of brigade or smaller size. However, the recommendation that the applicant submitted is not sufficient to grant the award. The recommendation is not signed, and there is no available evidence showing that the recommendation was approved or that orders were published authorizing the Combat Medical Badge. 3. In view of the above, the applicant's request for award of the Combat Medical Badge should be denied. 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) AR20090002698 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090002698 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1