The DA Form 638 will be used to initiate, process, and approve award recommendations of all U.S. Army individual decorations, to include valor and heroism decorations. Statutory and regulatory time limits for processing valorous awards are in paragraphs 1–14 and 1–15 of AR 600-8-22, Criteria for the various valor awards are as shown in this chapter under the respective decoration. Approval authorities may make award decisions without referral to a local awards board. Awards boards are optional and are at the discretion of the approval authority. Permanent award orders are an authorized part of the DA Form 638. Permanent award orders authority may be delegated to award approval authorities who would not normally publish permanent orders. This delegation should be in writing. Permanent orders filing will include a master set filed at the issuing headquarters. Download DA 638 hereYou Might Need Lotus Viewer which replaced Pure Edge to Fill out the Form Download it HERE