PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                12 August 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999019870

	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:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. James M. Alward		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, in effect, that his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) be corrected to that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and to show his service in Germany and all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 does not show his Good Conduct Medal, his service in Germany, or all of his awards and decorations to which he is entitled.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 16 November
1971 as an armor crewman and served until he was honorably discharged on 15 November 1974.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Expert Qualification Badge (M16 Rifle) and the Expert Qualification Badge (45 Caliber Pistol).  His discharge document does not show the Good Conduct Medal as an authorized award.

6.  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.

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, item 18f (foreign and/or sea service this period) shows the entry 0 (years), 0 (months), and 0 (days).  Item 31 (Foreign Service)
of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows no entry for Foreign Service.

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 16 November 1971 to 15 November 1974 based on completion of three years of qualifying service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  The applicant’s record fail to show that he served in Germany or completed any foreign or sea service this period.  Therefore, there is no basis to correct item 18f (Foreign and/or Sea Service This Period) of his DD Form 214.

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 in item 26 of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 16 November 1971 to 15 November 1974.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  JMA_____  MW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999019870	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990812	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19741115	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 102		
2.  		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.