PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                23 June 1999              
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR1998013033

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Gary F. Geraets		Member	
	Mr. Lester Echols		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 DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Good Conduct Medal.  

3.  The applicant states that he met the standards and criteria for this award during his service on active duty from 24 November 1970 through 25 August 1972 in the U.S. Army.  In support of his application, he submits a personal statement, dated 9 January 1998, photocopies of his DD Form 214, a letter of commendation, dated 12 November 1971, unit orders for appointment to sergeant, dated 4 November 1971, and his Conduct and Efficiency Rating Report, dated 16 August 1972.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted in the Army on 24 November 1970 and completed training as a correction specialist.  On 25 August 1972, he was discharged from active duty with an Honorable Discharge Certificate.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Good Conduct Medal as an authorized award.  

6.  There is no evidence that the applicant was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence that the applicant was disqualified from receiving this award.  There is no evidence of indiscipline in his record. 

7.  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.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Medal for the period 24 November 1970 through 25 August 1972 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.

2.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

MKP_____  GFG____  LE_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Margaret K. Patterson_
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998013033	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990623	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.