Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
Ms. Beverly A. Young | Analyst |
Mr. John N. Slone | Chairperson | |
Ms. Linda D. Simmons | Member | |
Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
2. The applicant requests correction of his records to show award of the Good Conduct Medal.
3. The applicant states that he is entitled to a Good Conduct Medal and that he honorably served on active duty for a period of 5 years, 5 months and 27 days. In support of his application, he submits three DD Forms 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).
4. The applicant’s military records show that he initially served in the Texas Army National Guard from 28 August 1960 through 19 September 1961. He was inducted in the Army on 20 September 1961 and completed training as an armor intelligence specialist. He continued to serve on active duty through a series of reenlistments. He completed overseas assignments in Germany and Vietnam and was honorably discharged from active duty on 16 September 1966.
5. The applicant’s personnel records contain three DD Forms 214. These discharge documents do not show entitlement to award of the Good Conduct Medal.
6. There are no orders in the applicant’s records which show he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. There is no indication in his personnel records that he was recommended for this award by his chain of command.
7. During the period 20 September 1961 through 20 September 1964, the applicant received conduct and efficiency ratings of “good” and a conduct rating of “fair.” During this period he also received a conduct rating of “fair” with an efficiency rating of “excellent.” He received nonjudicial punishment for being absent from his unit, for disobeying a lawful order, and for being absent and disorderly during this same period. These factors disqualified him from award of the Good Conduct Medal effective 20 September 1964. Based on his records, his second period of eligibility for award of the Good Conduct Medal started again effective 21 September 1964 and ended with his discharge on 16 September 1966.
8. The applicant’s records contain a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 5 February 1988, which shows he was authorized award of the Presidential Unit Emblem (currently known as the Presidential Unit Citation), the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars. However, there is no evidence that the applicant’s DD Form 214, which covers his Vietnam service, was ever amended to show these awards.
9. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This document shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation for actions during the period June to July 1966 based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 31, dated 1967.
10. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant’s unit in Vietnam, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 21, dated 1969.
11. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows that the applicant’s unit in Vietnam, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 53, dated 1970.
12. The applicant’s DD Form 214, with an effective date of 16 September 1966, shows entitlement to the Vietnam Service Medal. Army Regulation 600-8-22, Table B-1, shows the applicant is entitled to credit for participation in the Vietnam Defense Campaign, the Vietnam Counteroffensive Campaign, and the Vietnam Counteroffensive Campaign, Phase II for his tour in Vietnam.
13. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the 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 Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.
14. Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is no evidence of record which shows the applicant was recommended for or awarded the Good Conduct Medal during his first period of eligibility (20 September 1961 through 20 September 1964). Records show he received conduct and efficiency ratings of “good” and a conduct rating of “fair” during this period as well as three nonjudicial punishments. Therefore, he was disqualified for award of the Good Conduct Medal during his first 3-year period of eligibility.
2. Inasmuch as he did not complete a 3-year period of qualifying service beginning 21 September 1964, he was not eligible for award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 21 September 1964 through 16 September 1966.
3. While the applicant was assigned to the 1st Squadron of the 4th Cavalry in Vietnam, the unit was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation. Therefore, his DD Form 214, with an effective date of 16 September 1966, will be amended to show these awards.
4. In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, 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 the individual concerned be corrected:
a. by deleting the Vietnam Service Medal from item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214, with an effective date of 16 September 1966; and
b. by amending his DD Form 214, with an effective date of 16 September 1966, to show he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
JNS_____ JTM_____ LDS____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
John N. Slone_________
CHAIRPERSON
CASE ID | AR2001064436 |
SUFFIX | |
RECON | YYYYMMDD |
DATE BOARDED | 20020321 |
TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
DISCHARGE REASON | |
BOARD DECISION | GRANT PLUS |
REVIEW AUTHORITY | Mr. Schneider |
ISSUES 1. | 107.0056 |
2. | 107.0000 |
3. | |
4. | |
5. | |
6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120005434
Therefore, it would be appropriate at this time to award him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 27 May 1964 through 21 May 1966 and to correct his DD Form 214 to show this award. Based on his service in Vietnam from 17 August 1965 through 19 May 1966, he is authorized the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110005372
The applicant's DA Form 24A (Service Record), covering the period of service from 7 December 1948 through 16 October 1951, shows in: a. section 7 (Combat Record): Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) Intervention, First United Nations (UN) Counteroffensive, and CCF Spring Offensive campaigns; b. section 9 (Remarks - Administrative): he was discharged on 16 October 1951, his character and efficiency were both rated as "excellent," and he had 34 months and 10 days of continuous service credit toward...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110010682
He returned to his unit on 11 March 1966 for duty as a door gunner until he departed Vietnam on 18 August 1966. b. in item 41 (Awards and Decorations) that he was awarded or authorized the Vietnam Service Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Crewman Badge [Aircraft Crew Member Badge], National Defense Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Records show the applicant participated in three campaign periods during his service in Vietnam. As a result, the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060010904C071029
The applicant requests, in effect, that he be awarded the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal, with two bronze service stars; the Valorous Unit Award; three awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm, Unit Citation; the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation; the Cold War Certificate; and the Combat Infantryman Badge, and that they be added to his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080012100
Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and correction of his military records to show this award. The applicant participated in three campaigns during his tour in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show three bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a....
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100027443
Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Records) shows he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service. Therefore, he is entitled to the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 12 December 1966 through 11 December 1968 and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from item 24 of...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140018235
Furthermore, item 38 (Record of Assignments) of his DA Form 20 shows he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his military service. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provided that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to individuals who completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140005658
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), for the period ending on 24 April 1967, to add and/or award any awards to which he is entitled. The evidence of record shows the applicant served in Korea from 26 November 1962 to 1 January 1964. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by correcting his DD Form 214 for the period...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120005685
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show his second award of the Bronze Star Medal and award of the Meritorious Service Medal. There is no evidence of record and the applicant did not provide any evidence that shows he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal by official orders. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from his DD...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090010008
The applicant requests correction of his records to show awards of the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provided that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to individuals who completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service. The evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Vietnam...