PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF

	BOARD DATE:                              
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC97-08812
				    AR1998012501

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Karen L. Wolff		Chairperson	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests that his military records be corrected to reflect authorized awards and decorations.  He notes, in effect, that he did not realize there were awards missing from his separation document until he recently reviewed the document.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant enlisted in the Army National Guard on 7 May 1963 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1965.  He was called to active duty on 30 November 1968 and assigned to Vietnam in February 1970.

4.  While in Vietnam he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Artillery and awarded an Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement (700301-700520), an Air Medal (700317-700408), a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service (7002-7006), and a Silver Star for heroic actions on 28 May 1970.  All of the awards are confirmed in orders published by the Americal Division in Vietnam.

5.  On 28 May 1970, during the action for which he was awarded the Silver Star, the applicant was severely wounded.  As a result of his injuries he was ultimately medically retired from active duty on 4 October 1973 after an extensive period of hospitalization.

6.  The applicant’s separation document reflects entitlement to the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and Purple Heart.  His award of the Silver Star and Army Commendation Medal were omitted.

7.  A review of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also notes that the applicant is entitled to a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and three bronze service star on his Vietnam Service Medal to denote his assignment in Vietnam during three designated campaign periods.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded the Silver Star and Army Commendation Medal, which were omitted from his separation document.

2.  The evidence also confirms the applicant is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and three bronze service star on his Vietnam Service Medal.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Silver Star and Army Commendation Medal; and 

b.  by awarding him the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and adding three bronze service stars to his Vietnam Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__klw___  __mhm___  _klw____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	YYYYMMDD	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.