IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 11 October 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120005360 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 award of the Army Good Conduct Medal through his Member of Congress. 2. The applicant states he received company punishment that amounted to a temporary restriction and was returned to duty with no lost time. The issue was supposed to be removed from his records. 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). 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. The applicant's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 August 1961 and he initially held military occupational specialty 766.10 (Transportation Support and Parts Specialist). 3. He served in Korea from 2 March 1962 to 1 March 1963. He was assigned to the 45th Transportation Company. 4. His record does not show he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal. Additionally, his record shows no derogatory information that would disqualify him for the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. Furthermore, section 4 (Chronological Record of Military Service) of his DA Form 24 (Service Record) shows he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his military service. 5. He was honorably released from active duty in the rank/grade of specialist four (SP4)/E-4 on 24 August 1964. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 3 years of creditable active service with no lost time. His DD Form 214 also shows he was awarded or authorized the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Carbine Bar. 6. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provided that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to individuals who completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service. This period was 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ended 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. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states: a. the Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. b. the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 and 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995, and 11 September 2001 and a date to be determined. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. There is no record of any derogatory information in the applicant's service record. The evidence shows he served honorably from 25 August 1961 through 24 August 1964. He attained the rank/grade of SP4/E-4 and completed an overseas tour in Korea. He served a qualifying period of service and he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service with no record of disciplinary actions or a commander's disqualification. Therefore, it would be appropriate to award him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) and correct his DD Form 214 to show this medal. 2. His service in Korea qualifies him for award of the Korea Defense Service Medal and correction of his DD Form 214 to show it. Additionally, he served a qualifying period of service for award of the National Defense Service Medal and he should also be entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show it. BOARD VOTE: ___X____ ___X___ ___X____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is 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: * awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 25 August 1961 through 24 August 1964 * adding the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award), National Defense Service Medal, and Korea Defense Service Medal to his DD Form 214 ___________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) AR20120005360 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120005360 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1