IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 August 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080006831 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his Report of Separation from Active Duty (DD Form 214) to show award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. 2. The applicant states that the Army failed to add the Army Good Conduct Medal to his DD Form 214. He wants his record corrected to right an injustice. 3. The applicant provides no supporting documentation. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. On 17 January 1973, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years. He completed his initial training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 12B (Combat Engineer). 3. On 8 June 1973, the applicant completed the Basic Airborne Course and was awarded the Parachutist Badge. He was subsequently assigned for duty as a combat engineer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 4. On 23 December 1974, the applicant was promoted to specialist five, pay grade E-5. 5. On 16 January 1976, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the United States Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement). He had completed 3 years of creditable active duty service. 6. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of the applicant’s Enlisted Qualification Record (DA Form 20) shows that his conduct and efficiency ratings were all excellent. The applicant’s records do not contain any evidence of disciplinary action. There is no evidence to show that the commander took any action to deny him the Army Good Conduct Medal. 7. Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to individuals who had completed a qualified 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. The enlisted person must have had all "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings and no convictions by a court-martial. Ratings of "Unknown" for portions of the period under consideration are not disqualifying. Service and efficiency ratings based upon academic proficiency of at least "Good" rendered subsequent to 22 November 1955 are not disqualifying. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The applicant’s records clearly show that he distinguished himself in the performance of his military service. Therefore, it is presumed that his not receiving an Army Good Conduct Medal for his service was an oversight. Accordingly, he should be awarded this medal. BOARD VOTE: ____X___ ___X____ ___X___ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the 3-year period from 17 January 1973 to 16 January 1976; and b. showing, in addition to the awards already shown on his DD Form 214, that his awards include the Army Good Conduct Medal. __________ _ X _______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20070016793 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080006831 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1