PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           2 July 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002067446

	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. Rosa M. Chandler		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Karol A. Kennedy		Chairperson	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		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 Item 28 (Most Significant Duty Assignment) on his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) be corrected to show award of a Letter of Commendation.  He also requests that his DD Form 214 be corrected to show that he completed training to show that he was qualified to drive trucks rated from 2 1/2 tons up to 5-ton tractor-trailers.  

3.  The applicant states that he submits in support of his request his Driver Qualification Record, dated 3 September 1952; a copy of a Letter of Commendation, from Headquarters, 3rd Quartermaster Battalion, Division Artillery, 3rd Armored Division, Fort Knox, Kentucky, dated 3 July 1952, and five pictures of military vehicles and a soldier in a military uniform that the applicant identifies as himself.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that, on 18 February 1952, he was inducted into the Army of the United States for 2 years.  On 4 July 1952, he completed the required 8 weeks of training at the Armor School and he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 4345 (Light Vehicle Operator).  The Letter of Commendation that the applicant submitted shows that he graduated from this course with honors.  This letter also states that it is to be made a permanent part of the applicant's military record.

5.  The applicant served with the Quartermaster Company, 28th Infantry Division, Germany, from 10 September 1952-5 January 1954.  On 26 January 1954, he returned to the United States and he was assigned to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, for separation processing.  On 1 February 1954, he was honorably released to the United States Army Reserve.

6.  Item 27 of the applicant's DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany).  It does not show the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) as an authorized award.  

7.  The applicant's DD Form 214, Item 28, shows that his most significant duty assignment was the Quartermaster Company, 28th Infantry Division.  Item 30 (Service Schools or Colleges, College Training Courses) shows he completed the Light Vehicle Operator Course that is outlined in paragraph three. 

8.  The Driver Qualification Record that the applicant submitted shows that he was authorized to drive the passenger sedan, the 3/4-ton truck, the 5-ton tractor-trailer, the 2 1/2 ton truck and that, on 10 July 1953, he was awarded the Gold Certificate for Safe Driving.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) sets forth Department of the Army criteria, policy and instructions concerning individual military awards.  In pertinent part, it states that acts or services which do not meet the criteria for decorations or the various authorized certificates may be recognized by written or oral expressions of commendation or appreciation.  A written expression of commendation or appreciation will be maintained in the individual's Military Personnel Records Jacket and Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).  

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) 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.  

11.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part, it states that Block 28 will list only the most significant duty assignment.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to have his records corrected to show award of the GCMDL for the period 18 February 1952 through 1 February 1954.

2.  Item 28 of the applicant's DD Form 214 appropriately shows that his most significant duty assignment was Quartermaster Company, 28th Infantry Division.

3.  The DD Form 214 does not provide for recording the types of vehicles the applicant was qualified to drive or the Letter of Commendation that he received.   The applicant's Letter of Commendation is appropriately filed in his OMPF.  The training that the applicant's Letter of Commendation references is appropriately shown in Block 30 of his DD Form 214.  

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by issuing to the individual concerned a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) to show award of the GCMDL for the period 18 February 1952 through 1 February 1954.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__kak___  __aao___  __rjw___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Karol A. Kennedy
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002067446	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020702	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19540201	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR615-363	
DISCHARGE REASON	A03.00	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0700	
2.	107.0056	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.