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Something always kind of bugged me, never asked about it because I didn't think it important but here goes.
I was drafted and ended up doing one year as a combat medic in Vietnam with the H&HC 1/18 First Infantry Division 1968 to 1969.
When I received my DD-214 I noticed I had some awards missing but I was in Oakland and all I wanted to do was see my family and head home so I kept my mouth shut. Home was across the bay in Palo Alto, it was 4:00 AM, I was getting separated from the service (did my 20 months),my girlfriend was waiting, my buddies had a party for that afternoon and the way I was pump hyped I was ready to crash through the brick wall and run home.
On my DD-214 only three awards are mentioned. The National Defense Ribbon and the two Vietnam ribbons that everyone received.
Not mentioned was a CMB, an air medal, a good conduct medal and bronze star. I still have copies of all the original orders for all these awards and so I am fine with it but was wondering if this was common?
I am not going to bother the effort but I was curious. Thanks again.
Bother with it. You earned that CMB and it should be a part of your official, documentary history. Future generations may want to know what great, great Grandpa did.
I thought a good conduct medal was 4 years of service before awarded? Was it different back then?
It depends.
Basically, If you entered the service and were honorably discharged, and then left the service, you would be issued the Good Conduct Medal (GCM). So in the 60's for example some people were drafted for two years and left the service with the GCM. Some two year draftee's re-enlisted whenever, lets say after 12 months, the got a GCM after serving 12 months, when you re-enlist you technically are discharged and brought back to active duty.
ADDED, this expands on the Army Good Conduct Medal:
Army Good Conduct Medal (http://www.americal.org/awards/agcm.htm - broken link)
Quote:
4-5. Qualifying periods of service
Any one of the following periods of continuous enlisted active Federal military service qualifies for award of the AGCM or of a AGCM Clasp (para 4-9) in conjunction with the criteria in para (4-6):
a. Each 3 years completed on or after 27 August 1940. b. For first award only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946
c. For first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.
d. For first award only, upon termination of service, on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 1 year when final separation was by reason of physical disability incurred in line of duty
e. For first award only, for those individuals who died before completing 1 year of active Federal military service if the death occurred in the line of duty.
Rich
Last edited by Poncho_NM; 03-04-2010 at 01:49 PM..
Some awards are issued after a persons separation. I was initially told two battle stars on separation...but 50 plus yrs later am told only one star plus a National Defense Ribbon and a Korea Presidential Unit Citation...five in all total.
A trip to the nearest VA facility Service Rep room will help in correcting any possible mistakes...all they need is your service number put on the computer to records who will send a letter/forms to fill asking for info.
They will also send you all authorized medals in 6 months from completion of forms and a ID number on your request.
Basically, If you entered the service and were honorably discharged, and then left the service, you would be issued the Good Conduct Medal (GCM). So in the 60's for example some people were drafted for two years and left the service with the GCM. Some two year draftee's re-enlisted whenever, lets say after 12 months, the got a GCM after serving 12 months, when you re-enlist you technically are discharged and brought back to active duty.
Back then, sometimes it seems forever and sometimes yesterday, you were drafted for 24 months the policy was if you had less than 5 months to go upon your return from Vietnam they just cut you loose. This is what happened to me my total time active was 20 months to the day.
A couple months before I got out I was promoted to Spec-5 and did I hear correctly Spec-5 isn't used anymore? Just curious again.
I received the bronze star on my 20th birthday and didn't know it until my mom wrote me telling me she received it the mail. Someone must have put me in for it and didn't bother to tell me about it.
On a different but related note your CMB and Bronze Star are guarateed to get you awarded a service connected claim ($) by the V.A. if you have ANY type of PTSD, anxiety or other mental issue that could be traced to your service in Vietnam. For that matter any medical issue you had while serving is service connected and can be claimed if still a problem.
If you have any question PM me.
Thank you for your service to our country.
PS: Spec 4 still around but none of the other Specialist ranks.
Last edited by Balad1; 03-04-2010 at 10:43 PM..
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