PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           4 November 1998                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10762

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings 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. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		Member	
	Mr. Thomas N. Kuhn		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

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

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests correction of his military records to show award of the Army Achievement Medal (AAM), the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), and a Certificate of Achievement.

3.  The applicant states his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not reflect these awards.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of a Certificate of Achievement.  Also, he submits a letter dated 4 September 1997 in which he infers that he is entitled to the AAM because he has his “Certificate of Achievement Award” which was signed on 11 December 1968.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 20 December 1966 and underwent advanced individual training as a textile repairman, military occupational specialty (MOS) 43J.  He served as a textile repairman in Vietnam from 28 February 1968 through 8 December 1968 and was separated with an honorable discharge on 9 December 1968. 

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the AAM, the Good Conduct Medal or the CIB as authorized awards.  The Board notes that, in accordance with the governing regulation, Certificates of Achievement are not recorded on the DD Form 214.     

6.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records that show he was recommended for or awarded the AAM.

7.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records that he was considered for the first award of the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence of record that his chain of command took any action to disqualify him from receiving the Good Conduct Medal.  There is no indication of indiscipline or other adverse action in the applicant’s records.

8.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was assigned to a field service company in MOS 43J (textile repairman) while serving in Vietnam.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military 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.

10.  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.  

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

12.  Army Regulation 635-5 provides that item 24 of the DD Form 214 will reflect decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized for all periods of service.  Certificates of Achievement, Letters of Appreciation, and similar documents are not recorded on the DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Contrary to the applicant’s belief that his Certificate of Achievement entitles him to an AAM, the AAM is a personal decoration which requires formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command and announcement in orders.  Further, the AAM was not authorized for award prior to 1 August 1981.  Therefore, the applicant is not eligible for award of the AAM.

2.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 20 December 1966 through 9 December 1968 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with termination of a period of Federal military service. 

3.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in MOS 43J while in Vietnam. There is no evidence that the applicant was ever awarded an infantry MOS, served in an infantry MOS, or served in active ground combat while an assigned member of an infantry company in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is not entitled to award of the CIB.

4.  Based on regulation, Certificate of Achievements are not recorded on the DD Form 214.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show award of the Certificate of Achievement.   

5.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 20 December 1966 through
9 December 1968.  

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied. 

BOARD VOTE:  

JEV_____  LLS_____  TNK____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON