PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 3 August 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2000040955

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Calvin M Fowler		Member	
	Mr. Edwin S. Castle		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 he be awarded all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.

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 all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 28 June 1966 as a light weapons infantryman.  He served in Vietnam from 11 March 1968 to 30 April 1969 and was honorably discharged on 1 May 1969. 

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

6.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 27 September 1967 through 1 May 1969 and unit awards which are not shown on his discharge document.

7.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence that the applicant was disqualified by his unit commander for award of the Good Conduct Medal.
His records show that he received excellent conduct and efficiency ratings during his entire period of service.  There is no evidence of derogatory information contained in the available records.

8.  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.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 11, dated 1973.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 42, dated 1972.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that he is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 27 September 1967 through 1 May 1969 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.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

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 that the individual concerned was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 27 September 1967 through 1 May 1969,
the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS_____  CMF____  ESC____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____JOHN N. SLONE________  
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000040955	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000803	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690501	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  102		
2.  		
3.  		
4.		
5.		
6.