PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF: 
	         

	BOARD DATE:                30 June 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999016691


	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. Loren G. Harrell

Director



Analyst

  The following members, a quorum, were present:




Chairperson



Member



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 award of the Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he is entitled to the Good Conduct Medal because he honorably served one year of federal military service while the United States was at war.  In support of his application he submits documentation describing the Army Good Conduct Medal, a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) and a copy of a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 11 December 1970 as a helicopter repairman.  He served in Vietnam from 8 July 1971 to 10 March 1972 and was honorably discharged on 11 September 1973.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Good Conduct Medal as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Air Crewman Badge, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with M16 Rifle Bar and one Overseas Service Bar.

7.  The applicant’s record contains a DD Form 215, dated 30 May 1998, which amended his DD Form 214 to show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Army Commendation Medal.  As a result, these awards are not discussed any further.

8.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that show he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence that the applicant was disqualified by his unit commander for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  However, his records show that he received excellent conduct and efficiency ratings during his entire period of service.  There is no evidence of derogatory information contained in the available records.

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




CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 11 December 1970 to 11 September 1973 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing in item 24 of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 11 December 1970 to 11 September 1973.

BOARD VOTE:  

xxx____  xxx____  xxx______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION




		
		        CHAIRPERSON




INDEX

CASE ID
AR1999016691
SUFFIX

RECON
YYYYMMDD
DATE BOARDED
19990630
TYPE OF DISCHARGE
HD
DATE OF DISCHARGE
19730911
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY
AR 635-200
DISCHARGE REASON

BOARD DECISION
GRANT
REVIEW AUTHORITY

ISSUES         1.  102

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.



ABCMR Proceedings (cont)                                                    AR1999016691 


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