ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 April 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20200000940 APPLICANT REQUESTS: through counsel, reconsideration of his previous request for: a. removal of the DA Form 2627-1 (Record of Proceedings under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)), 15 October 1966, from his records; b. correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 15 December 1967 and his DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), 29 April 2019, to show his social security number (SSN) as c. correction of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 December 1967 to: (1) show all authorized individual and unit awards, including the Air Medal, Army Good Conduct Medals, Parachutist Badge, and Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized); (2) show his combat units; (3) remove the dates of lost time from item 26a (Non-Pay Periods Time Lost); (4) show he had insurance in force in item 27a (Insurance in Force); and (5) remove his assignment to the 501st Replacement Detachment, Fort Hood, TX, from item 30 (Remarks); and d. correction of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) to: (1) remove his assignment to the 501st Replacement Detachment, Fort Hood, TX, on 11 February 1967 from item 38 (Record of Assignments); and (2) show he was in an authorized leave status (company pass) in item 44 (Time Lost under Section 972, Title 10, U.S. Code, and Subsequent to Normal Date Expiration Term of Service). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * Letter from Counsel, 1 December 2019 * Social Security Card * DD Form 4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States), 16 October 1965 * DA Form 20 * DA Form 2627-1, 15 October 1966 * DA Form 214 * DD Form 149, 10 June 2016, and Letter to the Army Review Boards Agency * Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) Docket Number AR20160011402, 7 November 2018 * Army Review Boards Agency Letter, 24 April 2019 * DD Form 215, 29 April 2019 * Army Review Boards Agency Permanent Orders 126-06, 6 May 2019 * Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) System Letter, undated FACTS: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the ABCMR in Docket Number AR20160011402 on 7 November 2018. 2. The applicant defers to counsel. 3. Counsel states these issues have already affected the applicant numerous times, to include inability in obtaining a VA home loan because his SSN does not match on all of his documents. a. Based on ABCMR Docket Number AR20160011402, 7 November 2018: (1) The Board disagreed and denied the applicant's request to change item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214. (2) The Board disagreed and denied the applicant's request to change item 24 of his of his DD Form 214 to show award of the Purple Heart, Air Medal, all Army Good Conduct Medals, combat medals, unit medals, Parachutist Badge, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge, and all other authorized individual and unit awards. (3) The Board disagreed and denied the applicant's request to change item 26a of his DD Form 214. (a) The applicant was sent home from the 7th Field Hospital, Japan, in February 1967 with instructions that orders would be sent to him. His service number, , was on loan to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Division, Vietnam, from Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. The applicant volunteered to go to Vietnam while assigned to Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. When he arrived in Saigon, the U.S. Army changed his orders to the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Division. (Note: Army service numbers are assigned to personnel upon induction, enlistment, or appointment. Service numbers in and of themselves are not loaned to units.) (b) The applicant was never assigned to or trained at Fort Hood, TX. He should have received orders from the U.S. Army to report back to Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY, where he was permanent party. He had been stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, before volunteering to go to Vietnam to join Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. (4) The Board disagreed and denied the applicant's request to change item 27 of his DD Form 214. The applicant had Servicemen's' Group Life Insurance during his service in basic training; in Vietnam; and while he convalesced at the 7th Field Hospital, Japan, from a gunshot wound to his left knee and a high fever. (5) The Board disagreed and denied the applicant's request to change item 38 of his DA Form 20. The applicant did not have duty on 11 February 1967 with the 501st Replacement Detachment, Fort Hood, TX. He returned from the 7th Field Hospital, Japan, with no orders to report back to Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. On 11 February 1967 (should read 10 April 1967) he was dropped from the rolls as a deserter. At this time, the applicant was still at home in awaiting orders. (6) The Board disagreed and denied the applicant's request to change item 44 to show he was in an authorized leave status (company regular pass) to go home to, because the Army did not know what unit he was in. (7) The Board disagreed and denied the applicant's request to change the language in the DA Form 2627-1, which states: "has been reported that on or about 2200 hrs., on 12 October 1966, , you were found asleep during guard duty." It is by regulation that the officer of the day or sergeant at arms must witness the allegation. There was no witness named in the DA Form 2627-1. Also, the applicant's name is and his day and year of birth is. The serviceman's name in the DA Form 2627-1 is (8) The ABCMR granted him award of the Purple Heart and Air Medal. The Purple Heart was sent to him and the Air Medal was not. The Air Medal was awarded as a result of his Vietnam service. (9) Page 4, paragraph 4, of the record of proceedings states he was wounded on 1 November 1966; sent to 7th Field Hospital, Japan; in November 1966; and convalesced from a gunshot wound until 29 January 1967. However, he was, in fact, wounded on 1 November 1966 and was sent to the 7th Field Hospital, Japan, until February 1967. He was then sent home in awaiting orders to report back to Fort Campbell, KY. b. A DA Form 2627-1 can only be filed in a serviceman's records for 2 years; however, it is still filed in the applicant's records. Per Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), a service member has to request correction within 3 years after discovering the error or injustice. The applicant has tried for more than 40 years to prove this was in error. The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO, did not have the records he needed to clear his name because the Casualty Branch reported him as killed in action in November 1966. As a result, his records were locked in a vault. c. His DD Form 4, 16 October 1965, shows he was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, assigned to Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, and reenlisted on 15 October 1965 (should read 16 October 1965). 4. He provided his social security card showing his SSN as 5. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 15 October 1964. Item 2 (Service Number) of his DD Form 4 shows he was assigned service number. His DD Form 4 does not contain an SSN. 6. Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, KY, Special Orders Number 234, 22 September 1965, amended Special Orders Number 216, 31 August 1965, and released him from assignment to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, and assigned him to Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, effective 3 September 1965. His service number is shown as 7. He reenlisted on 16 October 1965. Item 2 of his DD Form 4 shows his service number as 8. Headquarters, 90th Replacement Battalion, Vietnam, Special Orders Number 23, 23 January 1966, assigned him to the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), Vietnam, effective 28 January 1966. His service number is shown as 9. Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), Vietnam, Special Orders Number 26, 26 January 1966, further assigned him to Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, effective 3 February 1966. His service number is shown as 10. The DA Form 2627-1, 15 October 1966, shows he received nonjudicial punishment under the provisions of Article 15, UCMJ, for being asleep during guard duty on or about 12 October 1966. His punishment consisted of reduction to the grade of private first class/E-3. It is unknown if the applicant elected to appeal. The DA Form 2627-1 shows his name as and his service number as. There are two discrepancies: the service number shown 11. His DA Form 20, 16 August 1966, shows the following: * item 1 (Name and Service Number) – * item 31 (Foreign Service) – 19 January 1966 to 29 January 1967, U.S. Army Pacific – Vietnam * item 38 (Record of Assignments) – * 17 January 1966 – duty 11B2O (Rifleman) – Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) – conduct and efficiency rated Excellent * 25 June 1966 – duty 11B4O (Team Leader) – Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) – conduct and efficiency rated Excellent * 3 November 1966 – Troop D, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) – conduct and efficiency rated Excellent * 21 December 1966 –patient – 7th Field Hospital, Japan * 11 February 1967 – 501st Replacement Detachment, Fort Hood, TX * 10 April 1967 – dropped from the rolls as a deserter * 17 April 1967 – Special Processing Detachment (5017-00), Fort Leonard Wood, MO – conduct and efficiency rated Fair * 24 May 1967 – duty 56A1O (Supply Handler) – in Company B, Special Troops, U.S. Army Training Center (USATC) and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO – conduct and efficiency rated Fair * 13 June 1967 – duty 56A1O (Supply Handler) – Company B, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO – conduct and efficiency rated Unsatisfactory * 21 June 1967 – prisoner – Company B, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO – conduct and efficiency rated Fair * 28 August 1967 – duty Soldier – Company B, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO – conduct and efficiency rated Unsatisfactory * 12 September 1967 – duty Soldier – Company B, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO * 22 September 1967 – prisoner – Company B, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO – conduct and efficiency rated Unsatisfactory * 15 December 1967 – discharged * item 41 (Awards and Decorations) – * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * one overseas service bar 12. His DA Form 20B (Insert Sheet to DA Form 20) shows the following information: * his service number is shown as * Special Court Martial Order Number 505, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood – absent without leave (AWOL) on or about 31 March-4 April 1967 (specification 1) and AWOL on or about 6-17 April 1967 (specification 2) – forfeiture of $113 per month for 6 months, adjudicated 9 May 1967, approved 23 May 1967 * Special Court Martial Order Number 642, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood –AWOL on or about 13-19 June 1967 – forfeiture of $25 pay per month for 2 months (suspended for 2 months), confinement at hard labor for 2 months, reduction to the grade of private E-1, adjudicated 5 July 1967, approved 10 July 1967 * Special Court Martial Order Number 1000, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood – AWOL on or about 12-22 September 1967, forfeiture of $86.00 pay per month for 6 months, confinement at hard labor for 6 months, adjudicated 2 October 1967, approved 5 October 1967 13. His DA Form 20 shows he was a patient on 21 December 1966 in the 7th Field Hospital, Japan. After he was released from the hospital, he was sent to the continental United States. On 11 February 1967, he was assigned to the 501st Replacement Detachment, Fort Hood, TX. There are no orders in his records documenting this assignment. 14. Headquarters, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Special Orders Number 109, 19 April 1967, show he returned from AWOL to Fort Leonard Wood, having been dropped from the rolls of the 501st Company, Fort Hood, TX. He was relieved from attachment to the Special Processing Detachment (5017-00) and assigned to the Special Processing Detachment (5017-00) effective 17 April 1967. His service number is shown as 15. On 15 December 1967, he was discharged for unfitness for frequent involvement in incidents of a discreditable nature with civil or military authorities under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-212 (Personnel Separations – Discharge – Unfitness and Unsuitability). He completed 1 year, 7 months, and 12 days of net service during this period with a total of 201 days of lost time. His service was characterized as under honorable conditions. His DD Form 214 shows in: * item 2 (Service Number) – * item 3 (Social Security Number) – * item 12 (Last Duty Assignment and Major Command) – Company A, Special Troops, USATC and Fort Leonard Wood, 5th U.S. Army * item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * item 26a (Non-Pay Periods Time Lost) – * 31 March-3 April 1967 * 6-16 April 1967 * 13-18 June 1967 * 12-21 September 1967 * item 27a (Insurance in Force) – No * item 30 (Remarks) – 201 days lost under Title 10 U.S. Code, Section 972, 31 March-3 April 1967, 6-16 April 1967, 18 April-8 May 1967, 13-18 June 1967, 21 June-24 August 1967, and 12 September-14 December 1967 16. On 10 June 2016, he requested removal of the DA Form 2627-1, 15 October 1966, from his records; restoration of his rank and associated loss of pay based on removal of the DA Form 2627-1; award of the Purple Heart; and an apology for the way he and his mother were treated by the Army. 17. On 7 November 2019, the ABCMR determined the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommended correction of all Department of the Army records of the applicant by adding award of the Purple Heart to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 December 1967. The Board determined the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommended denial of so much of the application that pertained to any relief in excess of award of the Purple Heart. 18. His DD Form 215, 29 April 2019, shows in: * item 3 (SSN) – * item 5 (Original DD Form 214 is Corrected as Indicated below) – add Purple Heart 19. The letter from Licensed Psychologist, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Department, undated, states he wrote this letter to document how the exceedingly long adjudication process for the applicant's claims against the U.S. Army has affected his health and mental status. and the applicant had their first of over 40 sessions on 15 July 2016. The applicant has gradually deteriorated with respect to both physical and mental well-being. His spirits lifted when he was granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, which he valued more for the recognition of the personal cost he endured in his honorable service to the country than from any financial remuneration. a. In attempting to get justice for the wrong-doings the applicant reported, which range from his mother being incorrectly informed that he was killed in action to his being issued nonjudicial punishment under the provisions of Article 15, UCMJ, for a violation of duty that was perpetrated by another Soldier, the applicant's physical and mental health have reflected the status of his progress with these claims. When delays and barriers have been experienced, the applicant's physical health has reflected his disappointment and frustration. The applicant has been unable to sleep, has lost considerable weight, and has isolated and withdrawn from others. The applicant experienced a number of physical problems that were exacerbated by the stress he has been under, including chronic hip and knee pain and abdominal pain that was originally thought to be due to an intestinal herniation; however, it was never clearly diagnosed. b. As the process was prolonged and as the applicant experienced setbacks in clearing his name and reputation, he became more obsessed in his beliefs about Governmental conspiracy to block his efforts. The applicant has come to feel persecuted by elements of the Government, as his perception of its position relative to his agenda is that the Government is adversarial. He has no means of verifying or validating the events upon which the applicant's claims are based. He has only the evidence before him of the very real physical and mental suffering which the applicant has experienced increasingly over time. He has no reason to doubt the applicant's honesty and genuineness in relating his side of this issue. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. The Board reviewed the applicant’s previous and current applications and all supporting documents and found that partial relief was warranted. 2. The Board grants relief on the issue of the applicant’s incorrect social security number on the DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 December 1967. The Board considered the applicant’s service record and noted that social security numbers were not typically used to identify service members during the time the applicant was serving his country. The applicant was not required to provide a social security number in his enlistment documents and there is no social security number on the DD Form 214 from his first period of enlistment. The applicant provided a social security card with a number that was confirmed to be associated with him through a public records check. A preponderance of the evidence shows that the social security number on the DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 December 1967 was in error and should be corrected. 3. The Board grants partial relief by adding medals to the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 December 1967. A prior Board added the Purple Heart and this Board agrees that the DD Form 214 should be corrected to show the applicant also received the Air Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Presidential Unit Citation as detailed in the Administrative Notes of this Record of Proceedings. The DD Form 214 dated 15 December 1967 should also include a Good Conduct Medal for the period 15 October 1964 through 15 October 1965 and the parachutist badge and sharpshooter badge. The applicant’s service record does not show that the applicant was entitled to additional medals and badges. 4. The Board next considered the applicant’s claim that he was not absent without leave (AWOL) on various occasions and should not have lost time recorded in Box 26a or Box 30 of his DD Form 214, dated 15 December 1967. The Board denies relief. The Board reviewed the service record and all documents submitted by the applicant and determined the applicant did not show by sufficient evidence that an error or injustice occurred. The service records include documentation of the applicant being absent without leave and admissions of being AWOL by the applicant. 5. The applicant requested a correction of Box 27 of the DD Form 214 to show he had SGLI when he was discharged. SGLI is life insurance that can be terminated when a service member is AWOL. The Board determined that the preponderance of the evidence shows that no error or injustice occurred and declines to correct the record to show the applicant had SGLI on his DD Form 214. 6. The Board considered applicant’s request to correct the record to show he was not assigned to 501st Replacement Detachment at Fort Hood and the Board denies relief. The service records do not contain orders to Fort Hood but do show he was assigned to Fort Hood. The Board determined that the applicant did not produce sufficient evidence to show the Army records contain an error or injustice. Furthermore, as noted in the Administrative Notes, the DA Form 20 is a snapshot of a Soldier's personnel data at the time of preparation and is not maintained after a Soldier’s separation. 7. Finally, the applicant requests the Board to review his records and correct his disciplinary records. Presumably the applicant would like the Board to revisit the 2018 Board Decision denying relief on this matter. However, the applicant has not submitted sufficient new evidence that would suggest the Board’s original decision is incorrect. The Board denies relief but recommends the DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 December 1967 be corrected to show his prior honorable service for the period 15 October 1964 through 15 October 1965. 8. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the correction is completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF X X X 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 partial relief. As a result, the Board first recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing the applicant’s social security number is rather than . 2. The Board further recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the Air Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Parachutist Badge, including adding them to the DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 December 1967. The Board recommends adding the following additional statement to item 30 (Remarks): “Continuous honorable active service from 15 October 1964 to 15 October 1965.” 3. The Board recommends all Department of the Army records be corrected to award the individual concerned the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for exemplary service from 15 October 1964 to 15 October 1965 and adding the medal to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 October 1965. 4. The Board 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 designation of AWOL status, SGLI, assignment to Fort Hood, and disciplinary records. 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): 1. A review of the applicant's service records shows he is authorized the following administrative corrections to item 24 of his DD Form 214 without Board action: * Air Medal (Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airborne), General Orders Number 75, 6 January 1967) * Overseas Service Ribbon * Presidential Unit Citation (2-24 October 1966, Department of the Army General Orders Number 5, 1969) 2. There is no regulatory provision for recording combat units on the DD Form 214. 3. The DA Form 20 is a snapshot of a Soldier's personnel data at the time of preparation. This form was the basic document for maintaining current data necessary to manage enlisted personnel and document their military careers. It was used as an internal management tool to assist commanders and personnel managers in processing assignments/reassignments, promotions, and career progression. The DA Form 20 is no longer maintained after a Soldier's separation. 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 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 15-185 (Army Board for Correction of Military Records), effective 1 May 2006, prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army acting through the ABCMR. The ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity. The applicant has the burden of proving an error or injustice by a preponderance of the evidence. 3. Army Regulation 27-15 (Nonjudicial Punishment), effective 1 February 1963, prescribed certain requirements, policies, limitations, and procedures for commanding officers imposing nonjudicial punishment. a. Paragraph 14b (Distribution) stated the DA Form 2627 (Summarized Record of Proceedings under Article 15, UCMJ), DA Form 2627-1, and DA Form 2627-2 (Record of Appellate or Other Supplementary Actions under Article 15, UCMJ) will initially be prepared in an original and three copies. A fourth copy will be prepared for all cases involving reduction in grade, detention, or forfeiture of pay. Standard distribution for the various copies of these forms will be: * original – The Adjutant General, Attention: AGPF-E, Department of the Army, Washington, DC * 1st copy – unit of assignment, for file above the individual's field 201 file divider * 2nd copy – unit of assignment, for unit file to serve statistical and other purposes * 3rd copy – to the service member concerned for personal retention * 4th copy – to the custodian of the individual's financial data records folder (DA Form 143) for accomplishment of necessary pay actions and file in that folder * additional copies – additional copies may be required by local commanders if there is a valid need therefor, but additional copies should be kept to a minimum b. Paragraph 14d (Retention and Disposition) stated disposition of copies of the DA Form 2627, DA Form 2627-1, or DA Form 2627-2, retained by the organization in which the punishment under Article 15 has been imposed or by a superior command, will be as follows: (1) Field 201 file: to be withdrawn and destroyed upon transfer of the individual from the organization or upon the expiration of 2 years from imposition of the punishment, whichever shall first occur, provided that at the time of transfer, a period of 1 year has elapsed since imposition of the punishment and that all punishment imposed has been executed (with forfeitures collected and any period of detention of pay expired) and action has been completed on any appeal from such punishment. If these conditions do not exist at time of transfer, the copy of the record of proceedings will be retained in the individual's personnel records which accompany him to his new assignment and retained therein until the foregoing conditions no longer exist. (2) Unit files: to be retained until transfer of the individual concerned from the unit or until the expiration of 2 years from the date of imposition of the punishment, whichever shall first occur, thereafter to be held in such place as may be designated in Departmental regulations for a period of 2 years and thereafter destroyed. (3) Individual Financial Data Records (DA Form 2143): to be retained as required by either Army Regulation 345-210 (Records Management Files and Standards) or Army Regulation 345-292 (Records Management Table of Organization and Equipment Units of Active Army and Army Reserve), as applicable. 4. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), effective 3 May 1961, stated the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 26 August 1940; for the 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 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. 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), effective 5 April 2019, prescribes Department of the Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. The Overseas Ribbon was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981. Effective 1 August 1981, all members of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in an active Reserve status are eligible for the award for successful completion of overseas tours. The award may be awarded retroactively to those personnel who were credited with a normal overseas tour completion before 1 August 1981 provided they had an Active Army status on or after 1 August 1981. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// 6. Army Regulation 600-8-104 (Army Military Human Resource Records Management), effective 7 May 2014, prescribes policies governing the Army Military Human Resource Records Management Program. The Army Military Human Resource Record includes, but is not limited to, the official military personnel file, finance-related documents, and non-service related documents deemed necessary to store by the Army. Paragraph 3-6 provides that once a document is properly filed in the Army Military Human Resource Record, the document will not be removed from the record unless directed by the ABCMR or other authorized agency. 7. Army Regulation 608-2 (Servicemen's Group Life Insurance), effective 7 April 1967, prescribed the Department of the Army policies pertaining to the Servicemen's Group Life Insurance Program enacted by Public Law 89-214, effective 29 September 1965. Paragraph 14 (AWOL in excess of 31 days) stated if a member is AWOL for a period of more than 31 days, his Servicemen's Group Life Insurance is terminated. Upon return to duty, he may elect to be insured again in the amount of $10,000 or $5,000, in which case a written application and proof of good health (medical examination) is required. 8. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), effective 1 February 1967, prescribed the separation documents which are prepared for individuals upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military duty. It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The general instructions stated all available records would be used as a basis for the preparation of DD Form 214, including the DA Form 20 and orders. Section III (Instructions for Preparation and Distribution of the Armed Forces of the U.S. Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214)), stated specific instructions for: * item 3 (SSN) – transcribe social security account number from the DA Form 2139 (Military Pay Voucher) * item 24 – enter all decorations, service medals, campaign credits, and badges awarded or authorized, omitting authorities cited therein from section 9 of the DA Form 20 * item 26a – enter inclusive dates of non-pay periods/time lost during the preceding 2 years * item 27a – if the individual has Government life insurance (National Service Life Insurance or U.S. Government Life Insurance), enter an X in the "Yes" block or if the individual has indemnity protection only, enter an X in the "No" block //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20200000940 1 1