PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           19 NOVEMBER 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002072876

	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:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Ms. Sherri V. Ward		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 that his records be corrected to show that he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, Glider Wings, and a Bronze Star Medal.  He also requests that his records be corrected to reflect entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal and the "NATO Service Medal."  He states that he completed airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1949 and submits a copy of his training certificate to support that request.  He also notes that he earned the "NATO Service Medal" while assigned to the 6th Ranger Company in Germany between January and December 1951, which was under the "command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization."  He states that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal while in a hospital in Japan in May 1953 and that he should be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal for "four years plus service while [he] earned the Purple Heart Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge."  He submits no evidence in support of these requests.

3.  The applicant's records were apparently lost or destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis.  Information contained herein was reconstructed entirely from documents provided by the applicant, including his separation report.  

4.  The applicant entered active duty on 18 July 1949 and served overseas for approximately 2 years where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, the Combat Infantryman Badge and a Purple Heart.  

5.  A certificate provided by the applicant indicates that he completed the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1949 and that he was qualified as a "Parachutist and Gliderman."  His separation document confirms he was awarded the Parachutist Badge.  The applicant's separation document also confirms he successfully completed a Ranger course at Fort Benning in 1950.

6.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 15 October 1953.  His separation document indicates he did not have any lost time during his period of military service.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army 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 Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who distinguished himself by heroism or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight in connection with military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  

9.  The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 and 21 July 1954, both dates inclusive.

10.  Although the United Nations Service Medal and the United Nations Medal are part of the military's inventory of foreign and international decorations, there is no medal known as the "NATO Service Medal" which recognizes service in Germany.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states that effective 3 May 1961 the Glider Badge was no longer awarded.  However, the badge could be awarded retroactively to individuals who could document that they had satisfactorily completed prescribed proficiency tests prior to 1961, while assigned or attached to an airborne unit or to the Airborne Department of the Infantry School.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also states that the Ranger Tab may be awarded to any person who successfully completed a Ranger course conducted by the Ranger Training Command at Fort Benning, Georgia.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. The applicant completed a qualifying period of service for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal on 17 July 1952.  The Board notes that the applicant was honorably discharged, had no lost time, and received several awards and decorations during his military service.  There is no evidence of any misconduct which would justify denying him the award.  In view the foregoing, the Board concludes that the applicant met the basic qualifications for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal and it would be appropriate and in the interest of equity to award him that decoration for the period 18 July 1949 through 17 July 1952.

2.  The evidence also confirms that the applicant is entitled to a Glider Badge, Ranger Tab, and the National Defense Service Medal.  His records should be corrected accordingly.

3.  There is, however, no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any, that he was ever recommended for, or awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  As such, the Board concludes there is no basis to award the applicant that decoration.  Additionally, the Board notes that there is no award titled the "NATO Service Medal" in the military's inventory and as such, no basis to add such a decoration to the applicant's records.

4.  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:

a.  by awarding the individual concerned the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 18 July 1949 through 17 July 1952; 

b.  by awarding him the Glider Badge and Ranger Tab; and

c.  by showing that he is entitled to the National Defense Service Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__JNS __  __SVW__  __MHM__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____ John N. Slone_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002072876	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20021119	
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.