PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                 2 September 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999021067

	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. Margaret K. Patterson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas N. Kuhn		Member	
	Mr. James M. Alward		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 show that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and the Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 does not show the ARCOM and the Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award).

4.  The applicant’s military records show he initially enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard on 21 July 1987 as a motor transport operator.  He was ordered to Active Duty for Training (ADT) and was released from ADT on 19 November 1987.

5.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 October 1988 and continued to serve until he was honorably discharged on 15 March 1996.

6.  His discharge document does not show the ARCOM and any award of the
Good Conduct Medal as authorized awards.

7.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records to show that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

8.  517th Personnel Service Company, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Bliss, Texas, Permanent Orders 000044-018, dated 28 April 1992, show the applicant was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 7 October 1988 to 6 October 1991.

9.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records that show he 
was disqualified by his commander for the second award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 7 October 1991 to 6 October 1994.  There is no evidence of derogatory information contained in the available records.

10.  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.

11.  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.  There is no evidence of record that shows he was recommended for or awarded the Army Commendation Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  The applicant was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 7 October 1988 to 6 October 1991.  The applicant is also entitled to the second award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 7 October 1991 to 6 October 1994.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

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 13 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 
7 October 1988 to 6 October 1991 and the second award for the period 7 October 1991 to 6 October 1994.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

MKP___  TNK_____  JMA_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Margaret K. Patterson_
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999021067	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990902	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19960315	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 102		
2.  		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.