PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:              18 August 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR1998012056

	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	
	Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Edward Williamson		Member	
	Ms. Sherri V. Ward		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 award of the Good Conduct Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

3.  The applicant states that he believes that he deserved the Good Conduct Medal and was recommended for the Army Commendation Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 14 December 1961 and completed training as a photography specialist.  He was honorably discharged on 4 December 1964.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Good Conduct Medal or the Army Commendation Medal as authorized awards.

6.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence the applicant was disqualified by his unit commander for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  There is no indication of indiscipline in his records.

7.  There is no indication in the applicant’s records that he was recommended for awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

8.  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.  

9.  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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 14 December 1961 through 4 December 1964 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  There is no evidence of record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, that he was recommended for or awarded the Army Commendation Medal; therefore, he is not entitled to award of the Army Commendation Medal.

3.  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 the individual concerned was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 14 December 1961 through 4 December 1964.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  EW_____  SVW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998012056	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990818	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19641204	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	EARLY RELEASE OF OVERSES RETURNEE	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR SCHNEIDER	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.