IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 9 April 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140014891
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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Army Commendation Medal.
2. The applicant states he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal after his separation.
3. The applicant provides a certificate for the Army Commendation Medal.
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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 14 September 1965 and he held military occupational specialty 71F (Postal Clerk).
3. He served in Vietnam from on or about 3 September 1966 to on or about 25 August 1967. He was assigned to the 570th Army Postal Unit, 53rd General Support Group.
4. He was honorably released from active duty on 26 August 1967. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the:
* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Vietnam Campaign Medal
* Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar
5. His records do not contain official orders showing he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Additionally, item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show award of the Army Commendation Medal.
6. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, failed to reveal any orders for the Army Commendation Medal pertaining to the applicant.
7. He submitted a certificate dated 1 September 1967 which shows he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam from September 1966 to September 1967. However, no accompanying official orders were provided.
8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states 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, distinguishes 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.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is insufficient evidence in the available records that shows the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. The governing Army regulation states that for personal decorations (which include the Army Commendation Medal) formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement of orders are required.
2. The certificate he provides are consistent with his period of service in Vietnam; however, it is insufficient by itself to show he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. In the absence of orders, there is insufficient evidence to correct his records to show this award.
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) AR20140014891
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