BOARD DATE:	  8 November 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120009002 


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 reconsideration of the denial to have the Army Commendation Medal added to his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).

2.  The applicant states he served in Vietnam and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal as shown by his award certificate.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of an Army Commendation Medal award certificate.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20110018559, on 3 April 2012.

2.  The applicant had previously been denied the requested correction to his DD Form 214 because his records failed to show any evidence of his receipt of the award.  His submission of the Army Commendation Medal award certificate constitutes new evidence warranting addition review.

3.  The Army Commendation Medal award certificate shows award of the medal for meritorious service in Vietnam from October 1968 to October 1969.  It does not contain a reference to the orders awarding this medal.
4.  The applicant's Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR) (formerly known as the Official Military Personnel File) does not contain a copy of either the Army Commendation Medal Certificate or orders awarding the applicant the Army Commendation Medal.

5.  Review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System (ADCARS) an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human Resources Command failed to reveal any orders for any awards.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

While the applicant provides a copy of a Army Commendation Medal, it does not include a notation of the orders awarding this medal.  The record does not contain either a copy of the certificate or orders awarding him this medal.  Without a validation of the award through orders no relief is warranted.

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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20110018559, on 3 April 2012.



      _______ _  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)                                         AR20120009002





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120009002



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