IN THE CASE OF:	  

	BOARD DATE:	  17 JUNE 2008

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080005430 


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 the following be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) with a separation date of 23 April 2003: two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, three awards of the Army Achievement Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal (determined to be the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, these awards are not on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, two certificates for the award of the Army Commendation Medal, and three certificates for the award of the Army Achievement Medal in support of his application.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant's military personnel record jacket (MPRJ) was not available for review.

2.  The applicant's DD Form 214 documents a period of active duty during the period from 31 May 2002 to 23 April 2003 in the Army National Guard.  Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 does not contain entries for two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, three awards of the Army Achievement Medal, or the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

3.  The applicant's official military personnel file (OMPF) on the integrated Personnel Electronic Records Management System (iPERMS) contains a memorandum for the record (MFR), dated 15 June 2004, from Headquarters 
1st Battalion, 109th Infantry (Mechanized), Scranton, Pennsylvania, that documents the applicant's eligibility for the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for his service in support of Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the period from 28 May 2002 to 23 April 2003.

4.  The applicant's OMPF on iPERMS does not contain any orders for any awards of the Army Commendation Medal or the Army Achievement Medal.

5.  The applicant provided two certificates for the award of the Army Commendation Medal for service during the periods from 1 August 2001 to 
30 August 2001 and from 25 August 2002 to 20 March 2003.

6.  The applicant provided two certificates for the award of the Army Achievement Medal for service during the periods from 12 June 1999 to 26 June 1999 and from 28 May 2002 to 28 August 2002.  He also provided a third certificate for award of the Army Achievement Medal based on his selection as the non-commissioned officer of the month for January 2003. 

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is authorized to soldiers who have participated in, or served in support of, Global War on Terrorism operations outside of the designated area of operations. Initial award of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal will be limited to airport security operations (from 
27 September 2001 through 31 May 2002) and soldiers who supported Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.  All Soldiers on active duty, including Reserve Component Soldiers mobilized, or National Guard Soldiers activated on or after 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined having served 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days are authorized the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. 

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

9.  Table 3-5 (Delegation of award approval authority-peacetime criteria) of Army Regulation 600-8-22 shows that the approval level for the Army Commendation Medal is colonel.
10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, who while serving in a non-combat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement.

11.  Table 3-5 of Army Regulation 600-8-22 shows that the approval level for the Army Achievement Medal is lieutenant colonel.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-104 (Military Personnel Information Management/Records) prescribes the policies governing the OMPF, the MPRJ, the Career Management Individual File, and Army Personnel Qualification Records.  In pertinent part, this regulation states that for U.S. military decorations the only acceptable source documentation is the order, letter, or memorandum which awards the decoration. Award certificates, citations, or separation certificates alone will not be the basis for entry of a decoration.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, three awards of the Army Achievement Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal should be added to his DD Form 214.

2.  The MFR from the applicant's commander documents the applicant's eligibility for the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.  Therefore, the applicant is authorized the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

3.  There is no evidence of two awards of the Army Commendation Medals other than the certificates submitted by the applicant.  Army regulations states that award certificates alone will not be used as a basis for entering a decoration on the applicant’s DD Form 214.  Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to show two awards of the Army Commendation Medal were approved by the applicant’s commander in the rank of colonel or above.  

4. There is no evidence of three awards of the Army Achievement Medals other than the certificates submitted by the applicant.  Army regulations states that award certificates alone will not be used as a basis for entering a decoration on the applicant’s DD Form 214.  Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to show three awards of the Army Achievement Medal were approved by the applicant’s commander in the rank of lieutenant colonel or above.  


BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

__X_____  ___X___  ___X____  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 to show he is authorized the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to two awards of the Army Commendation Medal and three awards of the Army Achievement Medal.  




       _   ___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)                                         AR20080005430



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080005430



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