PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            3 December 1998                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-09162

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Edward Williamson		Member	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Good Conduct Medal, the Expert M-14 (correctly known as the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar), the Expert Grenade (correctly known as the Expert Badge with Grenade Bar), the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the 82d Airborne Distinguished Trooper Award.  He also requests correction of his DD Form 214 to show completion of the Junior Leadership Course. 

3.  The applicant states the awards were left off of his DD Form 214 when he was discharged in 1976.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 31 July 1968, trained as a helicopter repairman and was separated with an honorable discharge on 4 May 1970.  He immediately reenlisted on 5 May 1970, served as a helicopter repairman in Vietnam from 2 May 1972 through 7 June 1972 and was separated with an honorable discharge on 4 June 1976.

5.  The applicant’s DD Forms 214, which are authenticated in his own hand, do not show the Good Conduct Medal, the Expert Badge with component bars for the rifle or grenade, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the 82d Airborne Distinguished Trooper Award or completion of the Junior Leadership Course.  The Board notes the applicant is entitled to award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation which are also not shown on his DD Forms 214. 
 
6.  82d Airborne Division General Orders Number 82, dated 11 February 1974, show the applicant was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for the period of service 31 July 1968 to 30 July 1971.  

7.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that he was awarded the Expert Badge with component bars for the rifle or grenade.  Item
9 (Awards, Decorations & Campaigns) of the applicant’s DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) does not list either award.   

8.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 with a separation date of 4 June 1976 shows the applicant served in Vietnam from 2 May 1972 through 7 June 1972.   

9.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 6, dated 1973.   

10.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded a Letter of Commendation, dated 7 April 1975, for selection as a Distinguished Trooper of the 82d Airborne Division.  The Board notes this is a local award and not authorized by Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards).  

11.  The applicant’s records show he completed the Junior Leadership Course (17 September 1973 through 28 September 1973).   

12.  The applicant was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation by the Department of the Army General Order Number 32, dated 1973.

13.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 5, dated 1979. 

14.  Army Regulation 635-5 provides that item 26 of the DD Form 214 will reflect decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized for all periods of service.  Certificates of Achievement, Letters of Appreciation, and similar documents are not recorded on the DD Form 214.

15.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  This medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.

16.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  This medal was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces. Individuals who had qualified for award of the Vietnam Service Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and were evacuated prior to completing six months of service due to wounds resulting from hostile action were entitled to award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

17.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part, it states that item 27 (Remarks) is used for entries required by Headquarters Department of the Army for which a separate block is not available and for completing entries that are too long for their blocks.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.  

2.  There is no evidence available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was awarded the Expert Badge with component bars for the rifle or grenade.  Therefore, he is not entitled to these awards.    

3.  The applicant served in Vietnam from 2 May 1972 through 7 June 1972; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 4 June 1976 to show award of the Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 4 June 1976 to show this award.

5.  Evidence of record shows the applicant did not serve a period of qualifying service in Vietnam for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.

6.  The Distinguished Trooper Award is a local award governed by 82d Airborne Division regulations and is not authorized by Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards); therefore, it is not shown on the DD Form 214.

7.  The applicant completed the Junior Leadership Course; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show completion of this course.

8.  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 this case be corrected:

	a.  by showing on the DD Form 214 with a separation date of 4 June 1976 the individual concerned was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 31 July 1968 to 30 July 1971, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Citation; and

b.  by showing in block 27 (Remarks) “Junior Leadership School, September 1973” of his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 4 June 1976.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS_____  EW_____  RWA___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-09162/AR1998013806	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19981203	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19960604	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.