2.  The applicant requests correction of his military records to show that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Also, he requests an Honorable Discharge Certificate be issued to him.

3.  The applicant states that he should have been awarded the Good Conduct Medal on the grounds of his outstanding service record of 3 years and 4 months, with no disciplinary actions.  Also, he would like to have something other than his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) that says that he served his country honorably.

4.  On 13 December 1988, the applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Delayed Entry Program, in pay grade E-1, for 8 years.  On 23 March 1989, he enlisted in the Regular Army, in pay grade E-1, for 2 years and 16 weeks.  He remained on active duty through extensions until his release from active duty on 22 July 1992.  He was advanced to pay grades E-2, E-3, and E-4 effective 23 September 1989, 23 March 1990, and 1 December 1990, respectively.  His military occupational specialty was 13F10 (Fire Support Specialist).

5.  A Department of the Army (DA) Form 2A (Personnel Qualification Record, Part I), dated 28 May 1992, indicated, in effect, that he was eligible for the Good Conduct Medal in February 1995, and that he was eligible for reenlistment.

6.  A DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record-Part II) did not indicate his entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal under item 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaigns) nor did it indicate any derogatory information.  Also, there is no indication in the available records that the applicant’s commander determined that he should not receive the Good Conduct Medal.

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 indicated that he was honorably released from active duty on 22 July 1992 by reason of expiration of term of service; that he was transferred to the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement), USAR Personnel Center; that his Reserve Obligation Termination Date was 12 December 1996; that he completed 3 years and 4 months active service; and that he received the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Driver and Mechanic Badge, the Marksman Qualification Badges 
(M-16 Rifle and Hand Grenade), and the Army Lapel Button.

8.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, at chapter 3, section II, then in effect, provided, in pertinent part, that the Good Conduct Medal was awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It was awarded on a selective basis to each soldier who distinguished himself/herself from among his/her fellow soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.  There was no right or entitlement to the medal until the immediate commander had approved the award and the award had been announced in permanent orders.  Unit commanders were authorized to award the Good Conduct Medal to enlisted personnel serving under their command jurisdiction who met the established criteria.  Retroactive award to enlisted personnel was authorized provided evidence was available to establish qualification.  Specific periods of continuous enlisted active Federal military service qualified for the award of the Good Conduct Medal or of a Clasp, which included each 3 years completed on or after 27 August 1940. Throughout a qualifying period, each enlisted soldier had to meet all of the criteria for an award regarding his character of service.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Absent evidence to the contrary, the Board concludes that the applicant was entitled to be awarded the Good Conduct Medal for the period of service form 23 March 1989 through 22 July 1992.

2.  The applicant was not entitled to receive an Honorable Discharge Certificate at the time of his separation since he was released from active duty and transferred to the USAR 
Control Group (Reinforcement).  Upon termination of his Reserve obligation on 12 December 1996, he will be entitled to receive a discharge certificate.

3.  In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for the period of service from 23 March 1989 through 22 July 1992.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON