PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            19 April 2000     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999034732

	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. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James P. Huber		Chairperson	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Van B. Cunningham		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 that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Bronze Star Medal and an Army Good Conduct Medal.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 
29 August 1968 and was honorably discharged in the grade of E-5 on 1 June 1971.  While serving in Vietnam (690714-700715) he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.  The award, which was confirmed in orders published by the 1st Aviation Brigade in July 1970, was omitted from his separation report.

4.  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.  Current practice requires that the commander provide written notice of nonfavorable consideration and permits the individual to respond. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service while in Vietnam which was omitted from his separation report.

2.  The evidence also confirms that the applicant completed a qualifying period of service for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal on 1 June 1971 when he was honorably discharged from active duty.  There is no evidence in available files which would serve as a basis to disqualify the applicant from the award.  As such it would be appropriate to award the applicant an Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 29 August 1968 through 1 June 1971.

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:

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service while in Vietnam; and

b.	by awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 
29 August 1968 through 1 June 1971.

BOARD VOTE:  

___jph__  ____eja_  ____vbc_  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999034732	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000419	
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.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.