IN THE CASE OF:	 

		BOARD DATE:	  18 February 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20130010606 


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 that his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be corrected to show his awards of the Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Iraq Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, Meritorious Unit Commendation 1OLC, and the Army Lapel Button.

2.  The applicant states that he did not receive his fourth award of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) until after his discharge.  He also states that his DD Form 214 should reflect the awards of the Iraq Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, Meritorious Unit Commendation 1OLC and the Army Lapel Button.

3.  The applicant provides copies of his four ARCOM certificates, deployment orders, a campaign listing, orders awarding his unit Meritorious Unit Commendations (MUC) and his DD Form 214.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 10 July 1997 for a period of      4 years, training as a cavalry scout and a cash enlistment bonus.  He completed his one-station unit training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was assigned to Fort Polk, Louisiana for his first duty assignment.

2.  He remained on active duty through continuous reenlistments, served tours in Bosnia, Korea and twice in Iraq during the periods 20070428 – 20080703 and 20091101 – 20100927 while assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment.  He was promoted to the pay grade of E-6 on 1 June 2002.

3.  On 31 August 2011 he was honorably discharged due to completion of required service.  He had served 14 years, 1 month and 21 days of active service.  His DD Form 214 issued at the time of his discharge shows that he was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral “3”, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th Award), NATO Medal, Army Basic Recruiter Badge – Silver with two gold achievement stars, Driver and Mechanic Badge with driver – wheeled vehicle clasp. 

4.  The applicant has provided orders showing that his unit 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment was awarded two awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC 1OLC) during the periods he served with the unit in Iraq.

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  The area of eligibility encompasses all the land area of the country of Iraq, the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles.  The Iraq Campaign Medal period of eligibility is on or after 19 March 2003 through 31 December 2011.  A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign.  Approved campaigns are:

* Liberation of Iraq (19 March 2003-1 May 2003)
* Transition of Iraq (2 May 2003-28 June 2004)
* Iraqi Governance (29 June 2004-15 December 2005)
* National Resolution (16 December 2005-9 January 2007)
* Iraqi Surge (10 January 2007-31 December 2008)
* Iraqi Sovereignty (1 January 2009-31 August 2010)
* New Dawn (1 September 2010-31 December 2011)

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a bronze service star, based on qualifying service for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation, will be worn on the appropriate service medal.  A silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Lapel Button is a gratuitous issue and the eligibility requirements are:  

* transitioning with an honorable characterization of service (those being transferred to another component for completion of a military service obligation and those receiving an Honorable Discharge Certificate)
* (b) transitioning under a non-adverse separation provision
* (c) having served a minimum 9 months continuous service - a break in service is 24 hours or more 
* (d) having had active Federal service on or after 1 April 1984 or service in a Ready Reserve unit organized to serve as a unit (Army National Guard unit or Army Reserve troop program unit) on or after 1 July 1986 
* (e) retroactive issuance is not authorized; and (f) no Soldier separating from the Service is to be awarded more than one Army Lapel Button.  

8.  Service medals and awards are not issued by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR).  However, the applicant may obtain his medals by submitting his request in writing to:  National Personnel Records Center, ATTN: Army Reference Branch, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri  63138.  

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s contentions and supporting documents have been noted and found to have merit.

2.  The applicant was awarded four awards of the ARCOM and is entitled to have those awards reflected on his DD Form 214.

3.  He served in three campaigns while in Iraq and is entitled to wear three bronze service stars on his already awarded Iraq Campaign Medal.  Additionally, his unit was awarded the MUC 1OLC during the period he served with the unit and is entitled to have those awards added to his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant also served during a qualifying period for issuance of the Army Lapel Button.  Accordingly, it should be added to his DD Form 214 at this time. 








BOARD VOTE:

____X____  ___X_____  ___X_____  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  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 relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:

* Deleting the entries “Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars” and Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award)” from item 13 of his DD Form 214.
* Adding the awards of the Iraq Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), MUC 1OLC and Army Lapel Button to item 13 of his DD Form 214.

2.  The Board wants the applicant and all others to know that the sacrifices he made in service to the United States during the Global War on Terrorism are deeply appreciated.  The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.


      _______ _   __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)                                         AR20130010606





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20130010606



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