PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            13 June 2000      
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000039139

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Chairperson	
	Mr. John H. Kern		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		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 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Good Conduct Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that the aforementioned awards are not reflected on his discharge document.  He claims that he is entitled to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his participation in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada.  He also contends that prior to separation he had disagreements with a soldier and the applicant believes this soldier may have “screwed” up his records.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on
4 February 1982, served as a single channel radio operator and was honorably discharged on 3 February 1985.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Good Conduct Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal as authorized awards.   

6.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s records which shows he was recommended for or received the first award of the Good Conduct Medal.  Item 18 (Appointments and Reductions) on the applicant’s DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) indicates that he was reduced in rank on 23 March 1984 and on 5 October 1984.     

7.  The applicant’s personnel records contain a Certificate of Service which indicates he was deployed to Grenada during the period 28 October 1983 to
4 November 1983 as part of the United States Forces deployed to that country to rescue American citizens and restore a democratic form of government.    

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.  

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, and U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.  Qualifying service for this award includes the requirements to be a bona fide member in a unit and to be engaged in the operation, or serve in the area of operations, or be engaged in direct support of the operation provided this support involves entering the area of operations, being engaged in combat, participation as a member of an aircraft flying in support of the operation, or being recommended or attached to a unit recommended for award of the medal if the above criteria have not been met.  The designated military operations and dates of eligibility for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal are specified in Army Regulation 600-8-22.  This regulation shows that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized for participation in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada during the period 23 October 1983 to 21 November 1983.  Qualifying service for non-unit direct support personnel in Grenada is 6 consecutive days or 12 non-consecutive days.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that a soldier may have “screwed” up his records.  However, there is no evidence available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, to support this contention.  

2.  Although the applicant contends that he is entitled to the Good Conduct Medal, there is no evidence of record available to the Board which shows he was recommended for or awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  The applicant’s records show he was reduced in rank on two occasions during his period of active duty service.  These acts of indiscipline or adverse actions which resulted in the reductions may have been disqualifying factors for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  Therefore, in the absence of a recommendation for award of the Good Conduct Medal by his chain of command, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant was deployed to Grenada during the period 28 October 1983 to 4 November 1983 as part of the United States Forces deployed to that country to rescue American citizens and restore a democratic form of government. Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and correction of his records.

4.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

EB_____  JHK_____  BJE____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Elizabeth Buchanon
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000039139	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000613	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19850203	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 Chapter 4	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0056	
2.	107.0072	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.