PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           23 OCTOBER 2001                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001060648

	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. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Shirley L. Powell		Chairperson	
	Mr. Allen L. Raub		Member	
	Mr. Thomas E. O’Shaughnessy, Jr.		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 that his military records be corrected to reflect award of an Army Good Conduct Medal and an Army Commendation Medal.  He states that he completed sufficient service to be awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal while in Korea “sometime in 1987.” He submits no evidence in support of his request.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 4 years on 10 July 1984.  He served two tours of duty in Korea (8411-8605 and 8709-8808).  During his first tour of duty in Korea he was awarded three awards of the Army Achievement Medal, all of which are recorded on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

4.  On 6 October 1987, while assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, the applicant was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 10 July 1984 through 9 July 1987.  Although his records do contain a copy of orders confirming the award, the award was omitted from his DD Form 214.

5.  The applicant returned to Korea for his second tour of duty in November 1987. 
In April 1988 he reenlisted for a period of 6 years.  He returned to the United States in August 1988. 

6.  In October 1988, while at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the applicant was counseled for driving under the influence of alcohol.  The October 1988 counseling statement formed the basis of a December 1988 recommendation that the applicant be barred from reenlisting.  The local bar to reenlistment was approved on 6 January 1989.  

7.  The applicant subsequently requested an administrative separation under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 16-5b, because he felt he would be unable to overcome his bar to reenlistment.  His request was approved and on 20 October 1989 he was discharged with an honorable characterization of service.  His separation document does not reflect entitlement to an Army Commendation Medal.

8.  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 by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, a formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders is required.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded an Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 10 July 1984 through 9 July 1987.  His records should be corrected accordingly.

2.  There is, however, no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any, that he was ever recommended for, or awarded an Army Commendation Medal.  In the absence of such evidence, the Board concludes that there is no basis to correct his record to reflect that decoration.

3.  In view of the foregoing, 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 Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 10 July 1984 through 9 July 1987.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__SLP __  __ALR __  __TEO   _  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___ Shirley L. Powell  __
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001060648	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20011023	
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.