ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  4 June 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  20170013497


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge)

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 

2.  The applicant states he would like his DD Form 214 corrected to reflect the Good Conduct Medal he was awarded following his separation.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 with notes to include the Good Conduct Medal and a Certificate of Achievement.  The orders or certificates were not included in the supporting documents.

4.  A review of the applicant’s service record shows:

a. He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 6 September 1966.

   b.  He served in Vietnam from 18 February 1967 to 14 February 1968.  He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Combat Aviation Group  

   c.  He received a letter of appreciation from the adjutant on 17 October 1967 for his 
outstanding contribution to the success of the inspection and high praises received for his area of responsibility by the inspectors.

	d.  He received a letter of appreciation from his commander on 15 May 1968 for his fine performance while working in the regimental message center and reproduction room.

	e.  He received a letter of appreciation from the adjutant on 15 May 1968 for the outstanding manner in which he performed his duties as the Regimental Mail Clerk.

   f.  He was honorably released from active duty on 5 September 1968 and transferred to the United States Army Reserves.  His DD Form 214 shows he completed 2 years of total active service.  It also shows he was awarded or authorized:

* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Campaign Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Two Overseas Bars
* Marksman Marksmanship Badge with Rifle (M-14) Bar

	g.  The applicant’s record is void of documentation awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal.  He meets the criteria for this award in that: 

* he received good or excellent conduct and efficiency ratings during his periods of active service
* he served honorably and without disciplinary action for 2 years
* there is no record of a court-martial in his service record

5.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citations and campaign Participation Credit Register) assist commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, and unit citation badges awarded during the Vietnam Conflict.  

	a.  Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 48, dated 1968 awarded the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Aviation Group the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period of 1 January 1967 to 31 December 1967.

	b.  The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for service in Vietnam was awarded to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Aviation Group by DAGO Number 22, dated 1968, from 1 March 1966 to 26 May 1967 and DAGO Number 43, dated 1970 from 27 March 1967 to 17 May 1968

6.  By regulation (AR 672-5-1), the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active service, 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 and there must be no convictions by a court-martial.  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. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that  relief was warranted.  Based upon the documentary evidence presented by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board concluded that the applicant met the eligibility requirements and should be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.  

BOARD VOTE:
Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

XX	XX	XX	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 by awarding and adding the Army Good Conduct Medal for service from 6 September 1966 to 5 September 1968.
2.  Prior to closing the case, the Board noted the administrative notes below by the analyst of record and recommended those changes also be completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant.
	 
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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

A review of the applicant’s records shows he is authorized additional awards not listed on his DD Form 214.  As a result, amend his DD Form 214 to show the following:
* Meritorious Unit Commendation 
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation (2nd Award)

REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three 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 three-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.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register), published to assist commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, and unit citation badges awarded during the Vietnam Conflict, the Grenada Operation, and the period of service subsequent to the Vietnam Conflict up to September 1987.  

   a.  Award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for service in Vietnam was announced for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Aviation Group in Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 22, dated 1968, for the period of 1 March 1966 to 26 May 1967 and DAGO Number 43, dated 1970 for the period of 27 March 1967 to 17 May 1968.

   b.  The Meritorious Unit Commendation is awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services for at least 6 continuous months during the period of military operations against an armed enemy occurring on or after 1 January 1944.  DAGO Number 48, dated 1968 awarded the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Aviation Group the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period of 1 January 1967 to 31 December 1967.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	20170013497


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