IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 24 June 2021

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210007631


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the 
United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 22 January 1965 to 
show award of the:

*	Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)
*	National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record under the Provisions 
of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552)
*	DD Form 214

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, 
U.S. Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records 
(ABCMR) 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 Board will not consider the portion of the applicant's request that relates to 
adding award of the NDSM as this issue will be addressed through administrative 
correction.

3.  The applicant states he was awarded the AGCM, but it is not shown on his 
DD Form 214. He recently learned about the NDSM understands he is eligible for this 
award. He would like it added to his DD Form 214as well.

4.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 January 1962.

5.  His DA Form 24 (Service Record) shows in:

	a.  Section 2 (Chronological Record of Military Service), he received all "Excellent" 
conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of active service with the exception 
of "Unknown" conduct and efficiency ratings from 13 to 26 April 1962; and

	b.  Section 9 (Medals, Decorations, and Citations), no entry showing he was 
awarded the AGCM or NDSM.

6.  On 22 January 1965, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to 
the U.S. Army Reserve by reason of expiration term of service. He completed 2 years, 
11 months, and 28 days of total active service. Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, 
Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his 
DD Form 214 does not list award of the AGCM or NDSM.

7.  His records contain no orders or other evidence showing he was awarded the 
AGCM.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After review of the application and supporting documents, the Board determined 
there is sufficient evidence to grant relief.  The Board carefully considered the 
applicants request, supporting documents and evidence in the records.  The Board 
considered the applicant’s statement, his military service record, documents provided by 
the applicant and regulatory guidance. The Board agreed the applicant's service record 
did not reflect he was awarded the AGCM and his record shows he received "excellent" 
conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service.  The Board determined that the 
evidence presented is sufficient for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

2.  Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative 
notes below, and recommended the corrections be completed to more accurately depict 
the military service of the applicant.

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BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

XX	XXX	XX	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

In addition to the administrative notes annotated by the Analyst of Record (below the 
signature), the Board determined the evidence presented is 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 amending his 
DD Form 214 for the period ending 22 January 1965 by awarding him the Army Good 
Conduct Medal.  

	 
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): 

The applicant is authorized correction of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 
22 January 1965 without Board action to show award of the NDSM.

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 672-5-1 (Awards), 3 May 1961, stated the primary purpose of the 
awards program is to provide tangible evidence of public recognition for acts of valor 
and for exceptional service or achievement.

	a.  The AGCM 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. 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.

	b.  The NDSM was awarded for honorable active service for any period between 
27 July 1950 and 27 July 1954, both dates inclusive, or after 31 December 1960 and 
before a terminal date to be announced.

3.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), 5 March 2019, states the NDSM is 
awarded for honorable active service for the period 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974 
(Vietnam).

4.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), 13 August 1963, prescribed the 
separation documents that will be furnished to each individual who is separated from 
the Army and established standardized procedures for preparation and distribution of 
the DD Form 214. The specific instructions for item 26 stated to enter decorations, etc., 
awarded or authorized during the period covered by the DD Form 214 from section 9 of 
the DA Form 24, omitting the authorities cited therein.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20210007631


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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