PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:        

	BOARD DATE:           3 May 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999032747

	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. Kenneth H. Aucock		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.  In effect, the applicant requests that missing information be added to his record, that his record reflect duty as a drill sergeant, vice section leader, that his record show that he was assigned to the Fort Knox Color Guard (in addition to being a light weapons infantry instructor), and that he be awarded the National Defense Service Medal.  

3.  The applicant’s statements are attached to his request and require no clarification. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Army for three years on 28 June 1957 and remained on continuous active duty until his discharge in 1963.  He was trained as an infantryman, completed airborne training during his second enlistment, and has been assigned to various locations throughout the world, to include Fort Hood, Texas, Germany, and Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  He attained the rank of Sergeant.  He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Expert Qualification Badge with rifle bar, and the Marksman Qualification Badge with machinegun and pistol bars.  

5.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows his duties as a section leader during the periods as reflected in his statement, and does not show that he graduated from the NCO academy at Fort Knox, nor does it show assignment to the Fort Knox color guard. 

6.  The applicant was released from active duty on 21 March 1963 at Fort Campbell.  He had 5 years, 8 months, and 24 days of service.  His characterization of service was Honorable. 

7.  The DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) is a management tool used by commanders and personnel mangers to record assignment, promotion, classification, etc., type information for individuals who have a military status, and is considered to be correct at the time of its preparation. 

8.  The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to award of the National Defense Service Medal.  

2.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 is prepared and maintained for those individuals who are in the Army.  To make changes to this record for individuals who are no longer in the service, especially after almost 40 years after its preparation serves no useful purpose.
  
3.  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 by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

___ewl__  ___rvo__  ___jhk___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032747	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000503	
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.  1021	100.00	
2.	107.00	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.