IN THE CASE OF:  
 
  BOARD DATE: 19 December 2023 
 
  DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230000937 
 
 
APPLICANT REQUESTS:  award of the Army Good Conduct Medal and Korea Defense Service Medal.  
 
APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
 
• DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) 

• DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 22 April 1996 


 
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 applicant states he never received the Army Good Conduct Medal or the Korea Defense Service Medal, which he earned.   
 
3.  The applicant’s Official Military Personnel File contains few records related to his active duty service in the Regular Army. This case is being considered using the DD Form 214 for the period ending 22 April 1996.  
 
4.  The available evidence is sufficient to add the Korea Defense Service Medal to the applicant’s record without Board action. The Board will consider the applicant’s request to be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal. 
 
5.  With prior service in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), on 23 April 1993 the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army in the rank/grade of specialist/E-4, which was the highest grade he held. He served in military occupational specialty 13B (Cannon Crewmember).  
 
6.  He was honorably released from active duty on 22 April 1996 through the transition center at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, and transferred to the USAR Control Group 
(Reinforcement) to complete his military service obligation.  The DD Form 214 issued at that time shows the following: 
 
• He completed 3 years of active duty service with 1 year, 2 months, and 22 days of foreign service 

• He was awarded or authorized the following –  • Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) 

• National Defense Service Medal 

• Humanitarian Service Medal 

• Overseas Service Ribbon 

• Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-W Bar 
 
• He had no lost time  

• He was eligible for immediate reenlistment (reentry code 1) 


 
7.  His record does not contain orders awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal.   
 
8.  The available records do not include a commander’s memorandum disqualifying him from eligibility for the Army Good Conduct Medal nor do the available records indicate he was the subject of any disciplinary actions during his period of Regular Army service.   
 
BOARD DISCUSSION: 
 
After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The applicant’s service record contains few records related to his active duty service in the Regular Army. Nevertheless, the applicant served on active duty from 23 April 1993 to 22 April 1996, completing 3 years of active duty service, of which 1 year, 2 months, and 22 days was foreign service.  He attained the rank of E-4, had no lost time, and he was eligible for immediate reenlistment. There is no derogatory information in his available service record. The Board determined he met the criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). 
  
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: 
 
In addition to the correction addressed in Administrative Note(s) below 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 service during the period 23 April 1993 through 22  April 1996 

• adding to him DD Form 214 the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) 


 
  12/19/2023

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 completed service in Korea that made him eligible for the Korea Defense Service Medal. Add this medal to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 22 April 1996. 
 
  
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 600-8-22 provides the criteria for the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Korea Defense Service Medal. 
 
     a.  The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. 
 
     b.  The Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea.  The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. 
 
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