IN THE CASE OF:  

		BOARD DATE:  18 January 2019

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170009622 


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:X	:X	:X	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION



2 Enclosures
1.  Board Determination/Recommendation
2.  Evidence and Consideration




		IN THE CASE OF:

		BOARD DATE:  18 January 2019

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170009622 


APPLICANT'S REQUEST AND STATEMENT:

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed 
Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show completion 
of the Jungle Warfare Training Course and award of the Army Good Conduct 
Medal (AGCM).

2.  The applicant states, in effect, he served honorably and was promoted in rank 
from private to sergeant (SGT) in 3 years.  While serving in Panama, he 
successfully completed the Jungle Warfare School at Fort Sherman, Canal Zone 
in 1965.

THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:  

1.  Application for correction of military records with supporting document(s):  

*	DD Form 214 

2.  Evidence from the applicant’s service record and Department of the Army and 
Department of Defense records and systems:

*	DD Form 214
*	DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record)

REFERENCES:

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. 
 
2.  Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, stated the Army 
Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active 
Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940; for first award 
only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946; 
and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 
of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.  The enlisted person must have had all 
"excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings.  Ratings of "Unknown" for portions of 
the period under consideration were not disqualifying.  Service school efficiency 
ratings based upon academic proficiency of at least "Good" rendered subsequent 
to 22 November 1955 were not disqualifying.  There must have been no 
convictions by a court-martial.  However, there was no right or entitlement to the 
medal until the immediate commander made a positive recommendation for its 
award and until the awarding authority announced the award in General Orders.

3.  A review of the historical information about the Panama Canal Zone posted 
on the U.S. Army South internet website www.usarso.army.mil revealed the 
Jungle Warfare Training Course was a 3-week course conducted at 
Fort Sherman up to 10 times annually.  "A normal cycle conducted training on 
three levels, individual Soldier skills, small unit, and company.  The bulk of the 
instruction was conducted for the infantry rifle company, but specialized training 
for a heavy weapons company, a heavy mortar company, a headquarters 
company, a combat engineer (Sapper) platoon, and a medical platoon was also 
available.  Individual training included jungle survival, camouflage, navigation, 
mines and booby traps, and jungle plants and living.  Upon completion of the 
core classes, the training focus shifted to small unit patrolling, attack, and 
ambush tactics and techniques.  Once the small unit was proficient in jungle 
operations, training moved to company and occasionally battalion level offensive 
field training exercises."

4.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, 
established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the 
DD Form 214.  The purpose of the separation document is to provide the 
individual with documentary evidence of their military service.  It is important that 
information entered on the form should be complete and accurate.  It stated, in 
pertinent part, that the Soldier's military education is obtained from the Soldier's 
records.  It shows the formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses 
successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 
and includes title, length in weeks, and year completed.  This information is to 
assist the Soldier in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for 
combat skills are not listed.


DISCUSSION:

1.  While 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 30 August 1963.  

3.  Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of his DA Form 20 shows he received 
"good" conduct and efficiency ratings while he was in advanced individual 
training from 7 December 1963 to 13 February 1964.

4.  There is no evidence in the available records that shows he was awarded the 
AGCM; neither is there evidence of a commander's disqualification for the award. 
Additionally, there is no evidence of any convictions by courts-martial or receipt 
of nonjudicial punishment under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice.

5.  His records do not contain a certificate or any indication that he attended and 
successfully completed the Jungle Warfare Training Course.

6.  On 15 June 1966, he was honorably released from active duty in the 
temporary rank of SGT.  His DD Form 214 does not show the AGCM among his 
authorized awards or that he successfully completed the Jungle Warfare Training 
Course. 


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a 
recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all 
Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by 
awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 
30 August 1963 to 15 June 1966 and adding this award to his DD Form 214.

2.  The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant 
a portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so 
much of the application that pertains to any relief in excess of that described 
above.

												 
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings 
of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20160005706


2
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20170009622


4
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


Enclosure 2