PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               12 January 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR1999027704

	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. Karl F. Schneider		Director, Army Review Boards Agency	
	Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Member	
	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		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 records to show all awards to which he is entitled.

3.  The applicant states that he believes he is entitled to the National Defense Service Medal, the “Korean Defense Medal (correctly known as the Korean Service Medal) and the “UN Medal” [United Nations Medal].

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 24 July 1959 and served as a heavy weapons infantryman.  He served in Korea from 22 May 1960 to 29 May 1961.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 23 July 1962.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows the entry “N/A” in item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized).  His DA Form 24 (Service Record) does not show the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal or any United Nations awards in section 9 (Medals, Decorations and Citations).

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 through 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 through 14 August 1974, and 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for award of the Korean Service Medal.  In pertinent part, the regulation states that the Korean Service Medal is awarded for qualifying service in the theater of operations between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the United Nations Medal.  This medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary General of the United Nations to personnel in the service of the United Nations for a period of not less than six months with the United Nations Observation Group in Lebanon, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in Lebanon, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, or the United Nations Security Forces, Hollandia.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for award of the United Nations Service Medal.  In pertinent part, the regulation states that the period of eligibility for the United Nations Service Medal was between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954.  The regulation provides that this service medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States dispatched to Korea or adjacent areas on behalf of the United Nations.  Award of the Korean Service Medal automatically establishes eligibility for award of the United Nations Service Medal.

10.  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.  Records show the applicant’s conduct and efficiency were rated as “excellent” throughout his service and there is no indication of indiscipline in his records.

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.  The applicant served a period of qualifying service when the National Defense Service Medal was authorized for award; therefore, he is entitled to award of this medal and to correction of his records to show this award.

2.   There is no evidence of record or other indication that the applicant completed a period of qualifying service for award of the Korean Service Medal.  Evidence of record shows the applicant’s service did not occur during the period the Korean Service Medal was authorized for award.  Therefore, he is not eligible or otherwise entitled to award of the Korean Service Medal.

3.  The Army awards regulation shows the United Nations Medal was not authorized for service in Korea; therefore, the applicant is not eligible for this award based on his service in Korea.

4.  The Army awards regulation shows that the United Nations Service Medal was authorized for award based on service in Korea between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954; however the applicant’s service in Korea was from 22 May 1960 to 29 May 1961.  Therefore, the applicant was not eligible for award of the United Nations Service Medal.

5.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 24 July 1959 through 23 July 1962 based on completion of three years of qualifying service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

6.  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 National Defense Service Medal and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for the period 24 July 1959 through 23 July 1962.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS_____  INW____  LLS_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		John N. Slone_________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999027704	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000112	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD, 	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19620723	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	ETS	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT 	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR SCHNEIDER	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.