PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                7 July 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999017004

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		Member	
	Ms. Meta Waller		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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with an effective date of 6 January 1960 to show the award of the Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant states that during his first term of service (7 January 1958 to 6 January 1960) he was informed that a Good Conduct Medal may be issued for less than 3 years of service.  He also states that while serving in Korea he was sent home on emergency leave and eventually discharged; however, he was unaware that he was eligible for the award of the Good Conduct Medal.  In support of his application he submits copies of his DD Forms 214 (with effective dates of 6 January 1960 and 4 August 1962).

4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted on 7 January 1958 as a general supply specialist.  He served in Korea from 11 June 1958 to 24 July 1959 and was honorably discharged on 6 January 1960.

5.  After a break in service, he reenlisted on 15 October 1961 and continued to serve until he was honorably discharged on 4 August 1962.

6.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (with an effective date of 6 January 1960)
does not show the Good Conduct Medal as an authorized award.

7.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that show he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence that the applicant was disqualified by his unit commander for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  However, his records show that he received excellent conduct and efficiency ratings during his entire period of service.  There is no evidence of derogatory information contained in the available records.

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.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 7 January 1958 to 6 January 1960 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show this award. 

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 in item 26 of his DD Form 214 (with an effective date of 6 January 1960) that he was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 7 January 1958 to 6 January 1960.

BOARD VOTE:  

INW_____  JEA_____  MW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Irene N. Wheelwright__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999017004	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990707	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19620804	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  102		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.