MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            6 May 1999                              
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1998013954

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller 		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz, Jr.		Member	
	Ms. Carol Jo Suiter		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Award of the Army Achievement Medal (AAM), the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), the second award of the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.  

APPLICANT STATES:  That he received these awards and they are not listed on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).  

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant enlisted on 16 August 1983 for a period of 4 years.  He successfully completed training and was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., for duty as a dental specialist.  On 15 August 1987 he was separated from active duty with an honorable discharge.

The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the AAM, ARCOM or second award of the Good Conduct Medal as authorized awards.  The Board notes the DD Form 214 does show the first award of the Good Medal and the Army Service Ribbon as authorized awards.  Therefore, the Army Service Ribbon will not be discussed further.

Item 9 (Awards, Decorations & Campaigns) of the applicant’s Personnel Qualification Record, which was authenticated in his own hand on 27 May 1986, does not show the AAM or the ARCOM.  There are no orders in the applicant’s records which show he was awarded the AAM or the ARCOM.  There is no evidence that the applicant was recommended for the AAM or the ARCOM by his chain of command. 

There is no evidence of record that shows the applicant met the qualifications for or was recommended for the second award of the Good Conduct Medal.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Mililtary Awards) 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 noncombat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement.

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.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  There is no evidence available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, that he was recommended for or received the AAM or the ARCOM; therefore, he is not entitled to these awards. 

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 16 August 1983 to 15 August 1986.  His
DD Form 214 shows the first award of the Good Conduct Medal and a separation date effective 15 June 1987.

3.  There is no evidence that the applicant served an additional period of qualifying service (three years) for entitlement to the second award of the Good Conduct Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to the second award of the Good Conduct Medal.

4.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

5.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

FNE____  EWL_____  CJS____  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998013954	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990506	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19870815	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 CHAPTER 16 PARA 16-8	
DISCHARGE REASON	REDUCTION IN AUTHORIZED STRENGTH	
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.