PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 25 July 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2000042212

	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. Ted S. Kanamine		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. John H. Kern		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, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 does not show all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and an award certificate for the Army Commendation Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 24 January 1967 as a light weapons infantryman.  He served in Vietnam from 28 June 1967 to 26 June 1968 and was honorably discharged on 23 January 1969. 

5.  The applicant’s discharge document does not show the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal or the Presidential Unit Citation as authorized awards.

6.  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.

7.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate which shows that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for exceptional and distinguished service to the 2nd Armored Division while assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry from 1 September 1968 through 23 January 1969.

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.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Presidential Unit Citation (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action.  A unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) indicates that the applicant’s unit (Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry) was not
cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation for the period 28 June 1967 to 26 June 1968.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that he is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 24 January 1967 through 23 January 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.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the Army Commendation Medal to the applicant.  However, there is evidence of record which shows the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.  Upon review, the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as basis for correction of his records to show this award.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show the Army Commendation Medal.

3.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant’s unit is not entitled to the Presidential Unit Citation; therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

4.  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 that the individual concerned was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 24 January 1967 through 23 January 1969 and the Army Commendation Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

TSK_____  SK_____  JHK_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_TED S. KANAMINE_______  
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000042212	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000725	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690123	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  102		
2.  66		
3.  77		
4.		
5.		
6.