RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 26 February 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070015182 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. Catherine C. Mitrano Director Mr. Mohammed R. Elhaj Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Ms. Linda D. Simmons Chairperson Ms. LaVerne M. Douglas Member Mr. John G. Heck Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his records to show award of the Good Conduct Medal. 2. The applicant states that he served honorably and received several commendations during his military service. He also states that he served as a driver for the Commanding General, 1st Cavalry Division, from July 1963 until he was discharged. 3. The applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), dated 12 August 1963 in support of his application. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 September 1960 for a period of 3 years. He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 643.10 (Truckmaster). The highest grade he attained during his military service was sergeant (SGT)/E-5. He was honorably separated and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) on 12 August 1963. 3. The applicant’s records show that he served in the Republic of Korea from 4 August 1962 to 26 July 1963. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division. 4. Item 24 (Decoration, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Carbine Bar. Item 24 does not show award of the Good Conduct Medal. 5. The applicant’s records do not contain orders awarding him the Good Conduct Medal. 6. Section 4 of the applicant's DA Form 24 (Service Records) shows that the applicant had all “excellent” conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his military service. and no convictions by a court-martial. Ratings of "Unknown" for portions of the period under consideration are not disqualifying. Service and efficiency ratings based upon academic proficiency of at least "Good" rendered subsequent to 22 November 1955 are not disqualifying. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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. 8. Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who have completed a qualified 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. The enlisted person must have had all “excellent” conduct and efficiency ratings and no convictions by a court-martial. Ratings of "Unknown" for portions of the period under consideration are not disqualifying. Service and efficiency ratings based upon academic proficiency of at least "Good" rendered subsequent to 22 November 1955 are not disqualifying. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of record confirms that the applicant served honorably during the period 7 September 1960 to 12 August 1963 and received conduct and efficiency rating of excellent. Lacking any derogatory information on file that would have disqualified him, it would be appropriate to award the applicant the first award of the Good Conduct Medal based on completion 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 award of the Good Conduct Medal and to correction of his records to show this award. BOARD VOTE: __lds___ __lmd___ __jgh___ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding the applicant the Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity during the period 7 September 1960 to 12 August 1963 and showing award of the Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) on his records. Linda D. Simmons ______________________ CHAIRPERSON INDEX CASE ID AR SUFFIX RECON YYYYMMDD DATE BOARDED YYYYMMDD TYPE OF DISCHARGE (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) DATE OF DISCHARGE YYYYMMDD DISCHARGE AUTHORITY AR . . . . . DISCHARGE REASON BOARD DECISION (NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS) REVIEW AUTHORITY ISSUES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.