RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2006-00037
		INDEX NUMBER:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  None

		HEARING DESIRED:  No

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  4 Jul 07

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be given credit for a Good Conduct Medal (GCM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The GCM was not annotated on his WD AGO Form 53-55, “Enlisted Report of Separation” when he was discharged.  The regulation allows that any soldier discharged with less than three years service is to receive the GCM if otherwise qualified.

In support of his appeal, applicant provides a copy of his discharge certificate and a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

There are no records available to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the GCM.  It appears his records may have been destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.  According to the WD AGO Form 53-55 available on the applicant, he enlisted on 26 Sep 44 and entered active service on 23 Feb 45.  He was discharged on 30 Oct 45 for Convenience of the Government.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request.  The applicant does not have sufficient service to be awarded the GCM.

The GCM was authorized by Executive Order 8809 on 28 Jun 41 for award to enlisted members who shall have honorably completed three continuous years of active military service subsequent to 26 Aug 40 and who are recommended by their commanding officers for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity.  During wartime, the Army GCM may be awarded on completion of one year of continuous service rather than three.

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 10 Feb 06 for review and comment within 30 days.  To date, a response has not been received.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2006-00037 in Executive Session on 22 March 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	
The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, undated, w/atchs .
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPPR, undated.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated10 Feb 06.