| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr. | Analyst |
| Mr. Melvin H. Meyer | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Kathleen A. Newman | Member | |
| Mr. Donald P. Hupman | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: In effect, award of the Army Commendation Medal as a conversion award.
APPLICANT STATES: That he is entitled to award of the Army Commendation Medal based on a commendation issued on 29 March 1945 by the Commanding General of the First Allied Airborne Army. In support of his application, the applicant submitted a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-98 (Military Record and Report of Separation-Certificate of Service) and a copy of the referenced commendation.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records were not available to the Board.
The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-98 shows that he entered active duty on 15 August 1944 in the Air Corps as a Glider Pilot. He served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 7 December 1944 through 12 July 1945 and was honorably separated from active duty on 3 October 1945.
Item 29 (Decorations and Citations) of the applicant’s WD AGO 53-98 does not show entitlement to the Army Commendation Medal.
The applicant provided a copy of the commendation issued 29 March 1945 by the lieutenant general in command of the First Allied Airborne Army to the Commanding General of the IX Troop Carrier Command.
The Commanding General of the First Allied Airborne Army wrote that he desired “to congratulate and commend the officers and men of all ranks of IX Troop Carrier Command for their fine performance in connection with airborne operations of 24 March 1945.” This commendation recognized the performance of the pilots, co-pilots and glider pilots; however, this commendation addressed the overall performance of the unit and did not recognize any personnel by name.
Paragraph 1-23 of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that awards of certain decorations as authorized in this regulation or later will be made on the basis of existing letters, citations, and/or orders.
Paragraph 3-16f of Army Regulation 600-8-22 governs award of the Army Commendation Medal and states that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any individual commended after 6 December 1941 and before 1 January 1946 in a letter, certificate or order of commendation, as a distinguished from a letter of appreciation, signed by an officer in the grade or position of a major general or higher.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. The Board considered the applicant’s request for award of the Army Commendation Medal based on a commendation.
2. The Board noted the commendation issued by the Commanding General of the First Allied Airborne Army addressed to the performance of the IX Troop Carrier Command and did not commend the applicant personally for his actions as an individual member of that unit. The Board further noted that the regulation specifies that a conversion award of the Army Commendation Medal must be based on a commendation recognizing an individual.
3. Since this commendation did not address the actions of the applicant as an individual, it is not a basis for award of the Army Commendation Medal to the applicant.
| CASE ID | AR2002067821 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020514 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | MR CHUN |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0020.0000 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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