PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:        4 November 1998       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-06969

	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:

	Mr. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		Member	
	Mr. Thomas N. Kuhn		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, in effect, that his military records be corrected to reflect entitlement to “authorized” awards and decorations.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant was a member of the Army National Guard when he enlisted and entered active duty on 9 December 1964.  He served as an infantryman in Vietnam between January 1966 and January 1967. 

4.  On 16 February 1966 the applicant sustained a shrapnel wound to his right hand as a result of hostile actions.  Orders confirming award of the Purple Heart were confirmed in orders issued by the 1st Infantry Division in April 1966 (GO 549).  (Note:  Item 41 (awards and decorations) on the applicant’s DA Form 20 (enlisted qualification record) indicates the applicant was awarded two Purple Heart, one in February 1966 and one in April 1966 and that he was also awarded an Air Medal in April 1966.  However, a review of Republic of Vietnam era orders maintained by the Army’s Awards Branch confirms the applicant was entitled to only one Purple Heart.  The orders awarding the Purple Heart were issued in April 1966 for the 16 February wound and someone inadvertently recorded two separate entries for the Purple Heart.  The April 1966 Purple Heart orders also included awards of the Air Medal but not to the applicant.  Again, someone inadvertently recorded that the applicant was awarded an Air Medal based on those orders which was not the case.)

5.  While in Vietnam the applicant participated in two designated campaign periods and was a member of a the 1st Infantry Division when it was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal.  He was also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge in special orders 157 issued by the 1st Infantry Division.

6.  The applicant remained on active duty until 1976 when he was honorably discharged with more than 11 years of active Federal service.  His separation documents do no reflect entitlement to the Civil Actions Honor Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge or two bronze service stars denoting participation in two designated campaign periods while in Vietnam.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record confirms the applicant was awarded a Combat Infantryman Badge which was omitted from his separation document.

2.  The evidence also confirms the applicant is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal and two bronze service stars denoting participation in two designated campaign periods while in Vietnam.
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 Combat Infantryman Badge based on his service as an infantryman while in Vietnam; and

b.  by awarding him two bronze service stars (on his Vietnam Service Medal) denoting participation in two designated campaign periods while in Vietnam and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__JEV___  _LLS___  _TNK____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON