PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                9 February 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999028860

	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.  

	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Ms. Deborah S. Jacobs		Member	
	Ms. Carol Jo Suiter		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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the CIB.  He also states that he served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 and was involved in many firefights.  He further states that he was wounded in action four different times in combat.  In support of his application he submits copies of orders awarding him the CIB, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 4 June 1968 as a light weapons infantryman.  He served in Vietnam from 16 November 1968 to 16 November 1969 and was honorably discharged on 3 June 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division Special Orders Number 79, dated 20 March 1969, which awarded the applicant the Combat Infantryman Badge.

7.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders 13406, dated 21 October 1969, which awarded the applicant the Army 
Commendation Medal for his meritorious service from November 1968 to November 1969.

8.  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.

9.  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.  Orders show the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Commendation Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

2.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 4 June 1968 to 3 June 1970 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  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 24 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214
that the individual concerned was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal and the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 4 June 1968 to 3 June 1970.

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  DSJ_____  CJS____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999028860	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000209	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19700603	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 157		
2.  66		
3.  102		
4.		
5.		
6.