BOARD DATE:	  3 January 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120010974 


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, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show two awards of the Army Achievement Medal.

2.  He states:

* the awards were issued after his discharge date
* neither is listed on his DD Form 214
* he has not received the medals

3.  He provides his:

* DD Form 214
* DA Form 4980-18 (Army Achievement Medal Certificate), dated 30 May 1986

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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 27 May 1983.

3.  Item 9 (Awards, Decorations, and Campaigns) of his DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record, Part II) does not show any awards of the Army Achievement Medal.

4.  A review of his Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR), formerly known as the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), failed to reveal orders awarding him any Army Achievement Medals.

5.  He was honorably released from active duty on 15 April 1986 under the early release program.  He was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his remaining service obligation.  He completed 2 years, 10 months, and 16 days of creditable active service.  The
DD Form 214 he was issued at the time does not show any awards of the Army Achievement Medal.

6.  He submitted a DA Form 4980-18, issued by 1st Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), dated 30 May 1986, that indicates he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal with first oak leaf cluster for exceptionally meritorious service from 5 April 1985 to 15 April 1986.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Achievement Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, who while serving in a noncombat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record is void of orders showing the applicant was awarded any awards of the Army Achievement Medal.

2.  The governing Army regulation states that formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required for personal decorations (which include the AAM).  Regrettably, his record does not contain any orders and the applicant did not provide such orders awarding him any Army Achievement Medals.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief.

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)                                         AR20120010974



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120010974



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