PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:  27 February 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2000046343

	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. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. 

3.  The applicant states that his award of the Purple Heart is not shown on his DD Form 214.  In support of his application he submits an award certificate, orders awarding him the Purple Heart, and a copy of his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted on 20 September 1966 as a light weapons infantryman (11B).  He served in Vietnam from 4 October 1967 through 3 July 1968 as an infantryman.  He was separated from active duty in the pay grade of E-5 effective 26 August 1968.

5.  His discharge document does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.

6.  Headquarters, 2d Surgical Hospital (MA) General Orders Number 141, dated 4 June 1968, awarded the Purple Heart to the applicant for wounds received in action on 3 June 1968.

7.  Headquarters, Americal Division Special Order Number 18, dated 18 January 1968, awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge to the applicant which is not shown on his discharge document.

8.  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.

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.  The evidence of record shows that he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 3 June 1968 and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

2.  The evidence of record shows that he is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 20 September 1966 through 26 August 1968 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 for the individual concerned be corrected by showing that he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 20 September 1966 through 26 August 1968.

BOARD VOTE:  

__js___  ___ra____  __mm___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____John N. Slone_______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000046343	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20010227	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19680826	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  61		
2.  157		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.