PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:               4 May 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR1999028889

	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. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		Chairperson	
	Mr. James P. Stueve		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 correction of his records to show all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.

3.  The applicant states that he served 6 months in Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor and 6 months in Macedonia in support of Operation Able Sentry.  He also states that he received two Army Achievement Medals, one Army Commendation Medal, and an award of the Expert Infantryman Badge which are not shown on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).  In support of his application, the applicant submitted a certificate and DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) for one award of the Army Achievement Medal and one award of the Army Commendation Medal, a certificate for award of the NATO Medal, a certificate for award of the United Nations Medal, two certificates attesting to award of the Expert Infantryman Badge, a memorandum authorizing wear of the Armed Forces Service Medal, a certificate authenticating the applicant’s participation as a member of Task Force Able Sentry, a Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement for driving over 11,000 miles without an accident or a traffic violation, a unit level certificate of achievement for support of 11th Aviation Regiment training, a unit level certificate of achievement for support of 1st Battalion, 63d Armor training, a certificate of training for completion of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Infantryman Course, and a certificate of training for 30 hours of German language and cultural training. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 19 march 1966 and served as an infantryman until he was honorably discharged on 18 March 1999.

5.  Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows entitlement to one award of the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Wheel Bar, and the Armed Forces Service Medal.

6.  The applicant provided an award certificate which shows that he received the Army Achievement Medal for exceptional service for the period 1 March 1998 to 26 August 1998 based on Commander Task Force 1-26 Infantry Permanent Orders Number 237-02, dated 25 August 1998.  There are no other orders in available records which entitle the applicant to a second award of the Army Achievement Medal.

7.  The applicant provided an award certificate which shows that he received the Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service for the period 29 July 1996 to 8 February 1999 based on 2nd Brigade Permanent Orders Number 035-01, dated 4 February 1999.

8.  The applicant provided two certificates, one of which was signed by the Brigade Commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, which show that he was awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge on 31 July 1997.

9.  The applicant provided a certificate attesting to the fact that he was awarded the NATO Medal for service in the former Republic of Yugoslavia from October 1996 to April 1997.

10.  The applicant provided a certificate attesting to the fact that he was awarded the United Nations Medal for service with the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) in the former Republic of Yugoslavia from March 1998 to August 1998.

11.  The Board notes that the applicant’s records do not show award of the Good Conduct Medal.  The applicant’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) is not available to the Board at this time, and in the absence of the OMPF, the Board is not able to determine if the applicant qualifies for award of the Good Conduct Medal. 

12.  Army Regulation 635-5 provides that item 13 of the DD Form 214 will reflect decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized for all periods of service.  Certificates of Achievement, Letters of Appreciation, and similar documents are not recorded on the DD Form 214.

13.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part it states that item 14 (military education) will list formal in service training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed.  This information is to assist the soldier after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills are not listed.

14.  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 provided evidence that he was entitled to one award of the Army Achievement Medal.  There are no other orders which entitle him to an additional award of the Army Achievement Medal as claimed.  As a result, the applicant’s records are correct as currently constituted with regard to awards of the Army Achievement Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show an additional award of the Army Achievement Medal. 

2.  The applicant provided evidence of entitlement to award of the Army Commendation Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the Army Commendation Medal.

3.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge on 31 July 1997; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the Expert Infantryman Badge.

4.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the NATO Medal for service in the former Republic of Yugoslavia from October 1996 to April 1997; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the NATO Medal.

5.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the United Nations Medal for service in the former Republic of Yugoslavia from 1 March 1998 to 26 August 1998; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the United Nations Medal.

6.  The Board noted the certificates of achievement attesting to the applicant’s meritorious service and commends him for these achievements.  However, based on regulation, these certificates are not listed on the DD Form 214.

7.  The Board noted the certificate of training for completion of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Infantryman Course.  Since this course is a combat skills course, it is not shown on the DD Form 214 in accordance with the regulation governing preparation of this form.

8.  The Board noted the certificate of training for 30 hours of German language and cultural training.  However, this training is not shown on the DD Form 214 because it is not a formal in service training course.

9.  The applicant may reapply to the Board for award of the Good Conduct Medal at any time he can provide a copy of his OMPF or official documents showing his conduct and efficiency ratings and disciplinary actions, if any, during the period of his service. 

10.  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 Army Commendation Medal, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the NATO Medal and the United Nations Medal. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

________  ________  ________  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999028889	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000504	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19990318	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200.	
DISCHARGE REASON	ETS	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR SCHNEIDER	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.