PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:            3 April 2001                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000049097

	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	
	Mr. Walter Avery, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		Chairperson	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		Member	
	Mr. Thomas F. Baxter		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 his DD Form 214 (Separation) document be corrected to reflect his fifth award of the Good Conduct Medal (GCM).

3.  The applicant states he was awarded the fifth award of the GCM.  

4.  In support of his request, he submits a copy of orders awarding him the fifth award of the GCM.

5.  The applicant’s military records were not available.  The information herein was provided by the applicant.

6.  On 3 February 1984 Headquarters 7th Infantry Division and Fort Ord issued Permanent Orders 021-10, which announced the award of the GCM, fifth award for the applicant for the period of 24 January 1981 to 23 January 1984.

7.  AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the GCM is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  The regulation states that, after 27 August 1940, three years of qualifying service was required for award of the GCM, but during the World War II era, the first award could be made based on one year of qualifying service provided that service occurred between 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946.  After 27 June 1950 to the present time, the current standard for award of the GCM is 3 years of qualifying service, but as little as one year is required for the first award in those cases when the period of service ends with the termination of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the GCM, disqualification must be justified.

8.  AR 635-5 (Separation Documents) provided, at the time in question, that the DD Form 214 would reflect decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized for the period of service covered by that            DD Form 214.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant is entitled to six awards (5th Oak Leaf Cluster) of the GCM with the final cluster for the period 24 January 1981 to 23 January 1984.

2.  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 correcting item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 to show entitlement to the GCM 5th Oak Leaf Cluster.

BOARD VOTE:  

___wtm__  ___jtm__  ____tfb__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__________Walter T. Morrison____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000049097	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20010403	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.