IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 23 February 2010
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090015128
THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:
1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).
2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant requests that he be awarded the Good Conduct Ribbon (accepted as a request for the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)).
2. The applicant states he was not issued an AGCM and he has nothing in his records that would keep him from being awarded the AGCM.
3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 (Record of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States).
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (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. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The Board requested the applicant's military records from the repository in St. Louis, Missouri, but without success. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed that the applicant's records were destroyed in this fire.
3. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 September 1948, was promoted to pay grade E-5, and was honorably discharged on 31 August 1951.
4. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the AGCM 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. A record of punishment is not automatically disqualifying. However, at the time of the applicant's service a single conduct or efficiency rating of less than excellent was disqualifying. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the AGCM, disqualification must be justified. Current practice requires that the commander provide written notice of nonfavorable consideration and permits the individual to respond.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is no evidence that the applicant was awarded the AGCM and because the applicant's records were destroyed, there are no means to determine at this late date whether he was entitled to the AGCM.
2. As such, regrettably, there is insufficient evidence to award the applicant the AGCM.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
____X___ ____X___ ___X____ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
1. The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
2. The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.
____________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.
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090015128
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090015128
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