RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
IN THE CASE OF:  
BOARD DATE: 14 February 2022 
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220000524

 
APPLICANT REQUESTS: 
a. correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 10 December 1962 to show all authorized awards, including the: 
. Army Good Conduct Medal . National Defense Service Medal 
b. copies of his military records. 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). 
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 award of the National Defense Service Medal as this issue will be addressed through administrative correction. 

3. 
The ABCMR does not maintain the military records of Soldiers or veterans. The applicant or his representative may request copies of his military personnel records from the National Personnel Records Center, Attention: Military Personnel Records, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138-1002, by submitting a Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records). Therefore, this portion of his application will not be considered by the Board. 

4. 
The applicant states he needs copies of his military and medical records for his period of service from December 1959 through December 1962. He requests award of the Army Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal, as his service was exemplary. He would also like any other authorized awards/decorations, as appropriate. 

5. 
He enlisted in the Regular Army on 30 December 1959. 

6. 
His DA Form 24 (Service Record) shows in: 


a. Section 4 (Chronological Record of Military Service), he received all "Excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of active service; and 
b. Section 9 (Medals, Decorations, and Citations), he was awarded the: 
. Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1) . Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) 
7. 
On 10 December 1962, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) by reason of early release of overseas returnee. He completed 2 years, 11 months, and 11 days of total active service during this period. Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 contains the entry "None." 

8. 
His service records do not contain orders awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). His records are void of any derogatory or adverse information, or a disqualification statement from his commander that would have precluded award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). 


BOARD DISCUSSION: 
1. 
After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the applicant's military records, the Board found that relief was warranted. The applicant's contentions, his military records, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. Based on the documentation available for review, the Board found sufficient evidence to warrant the award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. 

2. 
The Board noted that the applicant was authorized decorations not listed on his DD Form 214 which will be administratively added and are listed in the Administrative Note section below. 


BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : XXX : XX : XXX GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION 
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 
The Board determined the that 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 the DD214 for the period ending 10 December 1962 to show in: 
. item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): Army Good Conduct Medal 
X 
CHAIRPERSON 
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. 
The applicant is authorized administrative correction of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 10 December 1962 without Board action to show the following awards: 

. National Defense Service Medal . Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1) . Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) 

2. 
The applicant passed away on 29 January 2022 during the processing of this case. 


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 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 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 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 National Defense Service Medal 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 National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for the period 1 January 1961 through 14 August 1974 (Vietnam). 

4. 
Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), 11 January 1960, 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. 


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