PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:          

	BOARD DATE:                3 May 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999031279

	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.  

	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. John H. Kern		Member	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz, Jr.		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 that he was never issued a Good Conduct Medal and that during his 8 years of service he never got into trouble.  He also states that he requested a Good Conduct Medal on or about 1974 and was informed that action would be taken.  He further states that 20 years is long enough and he would like his request honored.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 30 June 1961 and continued to serve until he was honorably discharged on 22 June 1964.

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.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that 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.

7.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 5 April 1983, shows the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the National Defense Service Medal.

8.  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 30 June 1961 to 22 June 1964 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.  The applicant was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  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 that the individual concerned was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 30 June 1961 through 22 June 1964
and the National Defense Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO_____  JHK_____  EWL___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr._____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999031279	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000503	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19640622	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  102		
2.  115		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.