PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                8 August 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999034512

	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. Carl W.S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		Member	
	Mr. Ronald E. Blakely		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, in effect, that Headquarters, US Army Advanced Weapons Support Command General Orders Number 98, dated 7 October 1970 be amended to show his fifth award instead of the sixth award of the Good Conduct Medal and that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with a separation date of 31 August 1972 be corrected to show that he was awarded the sixth award of the Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that orders awarding him the sixth award of the Good Conduct Medal and his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 31 August 1972 are incorrect.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55, copies of his DD Forms 214 and several copies of orders awarding him the Good Conduct Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted on 23 October 1943 
and served until honorably discharged on 15 April 1946.  He reentered service on 1 February 1951 and continued to serve through a series of continuous reenlistments until he was placed on the Army of the United States Retired List on 31 August 1972.

5.  The Board notes that the applicant was awarded the first award of his Good Conduct Medal which is shown on his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) with an effective date of 15 April 1946.

6.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 with a separation date of 15 November 1966 shows he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award).

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 with a separation date of 15 November 1969 shows he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (4th Award).

8.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 with a separation date of 31 August 1972 shows the applicant was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (5th Award).

9.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to seven awards of the Good Conduct Medal; however, only five awards of the Good Conduct Medal are shown on his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 31 August 1972.  A review of the applicant’s record show that he was entitled to the Good Conduct Medal for the periods of service from 23 October 1943 through 15 April 1946 
(1st award), 16 July 1953 through 15 July 1956 (2nd award), 16 July 1956 through to 15 July 1959 (3rd Award), 16 July 1959 through 15 July 1962 (4th award), 16 July 1962 through 15 July 1965 (5th award), 16 July 1965 to 15 July 1968 (6th award), and from 16 July 1968 to 15 July 1971 (7th award).

10.  The applicant was not eligible for award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 1 February 1951 through 15 July 1953 due to disciplinary action.

11.  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 seven awards of the Good Conduct Medal for his entire period of service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show seven awards of the Good Conduct Medal.

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 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 with a separation dated of 31 August 1972 that the individual concerned was awarded the seven awards of the Good Conduct Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

SK______  JEA____ REB_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__STANLEY KELLEY_________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999034512	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000808	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19720831	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  102		
2.  		
3.  		
4.		
5.		
6.